Atlanta Braves extend former Red Sox lefty Chris Sale
Sale waives his no-trade clause to facilitate move to Atlanta
The Atlanta Braves wasted no time in extending newly acquired left-hander Chris Sale following his trade from the Red Sox five days ago.
The Braves announced on Thursday that they inked Sale to a two-year, $38 million extension that includes a club option for 2026 worth $18 million.
The deal will pay $16 million in 2024 and $18 million in 2025. Sale was originally due to make $27.5 million for the 2024 season, split between $17.5 million this year and $10 million in deferred money, with a club option existing for 2025.
Before Sale’s new extension, he was set to enter the final year of his five-year, $145 million extension he signed with the Red Sox before the 2019 season.
The seven-time All-Star spent six seasons with the Red Sox, posting a 46-30 record with a 3.27 ERA. Last season, he made 20 starts going 6-5 with a 4.30 ERA. He missed two months with a left shoulder injury.
Sale waived his no-trade clause before the trade with the Braves.
“There were obviously a lot of factors on this,” said Sale in a Zoom call with reporters Thursday. “Again, I had to kind of work quick. The biggest thing for me was, I wanted to put myself and my family in a good situation. That meant not a whole lot of other places to go. I wanted to be in Florida for spring training and I wanted to play for a team that’s good. Atlanta’s had an unbelievable run; they have one of the best teams in baseball and I was excited to join them and do that.
“Leaving Boston wasn’t easy. I’ve been there for a long time (seven seasons). It was a second home to me. My family loved it, my kids loved it and (the organization) treated my family the best. It was great. But at the same time, I felt like I went through some really tough times there and they always had my back. I felt like this was an opportunity to put me in a situation to help myself and put (the Red Sox) them in situation to help them, too. I felt like I kind of owed them something because the last few years (I) haven’t quite lived up to what I wanted to be there.
“It was in favor to both parties.”
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
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