Former Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale was traded to the Atlanta Braves in December, which surprised many, including Sale. The 34-year-old had been with the Red Sox for seven seasons and was set to start on Opening Day.
“Zero,” Sale told “Baseball Isn’t Boring” host Rob Bradford when asked if he was aware of a trade. “Why would anyone want me at this point?” There’s no chance. There’s no chance. I just knew I was going to be in Boston…That was not even within the scope of possibility. That was not even an idea that crossed my head. I just needed to do what I could to help.
Sale stated that there was a lot of expectation and enthusiasm once Craig Breslow was hired as Boston’s new CBO. The two spoke for the first time after the holidays, and Breslow informed him that they had a deal set up.
“It was a freaking knuckleball from left field,” Sale told reporters.
Sale had control of the issue because to his contract’s no-trade clause, but he had a lot to think about before making a decision. The Braves were playoff candidates with a plethora of youthful talent, whereas the Sox had finished last in the AL East three times in the previous four years.
“It was important for me to stay here in Florida [during spring training],” he stated. “The Braves, it’s an hour longer drive, so whatever. Not a big deal. Then you start thinking about this team, who they are, what they’ve done, and what they’re likely to do. It’s one of a kind. I’m not sure if the Red Sox took that into consideration. I suppose they would have to.”
Sale’s tenure in Boston was plagued by injuries. After helping the team win the World Series in 2018, the starter went on to throw only 298.1 innings from 2019 to 2023. He missed the entire 2020 and part of 2021 seasons due to Tommy John surgery, then in 2022, he made only two starts and was out for the season due to a fractured wrist sustained in a bike accident.
The 2023 season was Sale’s healthiest since 2017. He had a 4.30 ERA and a 6-5 record in 20 starts for the Sox.
“Listen, I’ve told everyone, and I’ll repeat it till the day I die: the happiest days of my life were spent wearing the Red Sox uniform. “The worst days of my life were also in that uniform,” Sale admitted. “But everyone in that organization, front office, staff, players, coaches, and everyone else, treated me same whether I was at the top or at the bottom. I will always respect, love, and appreciate that. So I have nothing terrible to say about anyone there.”
Two months after being traded, the veteran appears to be settling in nicely. He finds himself on a playoff-contending squad and in a starting rotation that features Max Fried.
