The Atlanta Braves added a veteran arm with upside to their starting rotation Saturday, acquiring left-hander Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Red Sox get highly touted young infielder Vaughn Grissom in return.
Sale, 34, is a seven-time All-Star, but he’s coming off three injury-plagued seasons. He posted a 4.30 ERA (3.80 FIP) in 2023, although he spent a couple of months sidelined with a shoulder injury. However, the all-time MLB leader in strikeouts per nine innings (11.1) was still a K machine, averaging 11/9.
The Red Sox also reportedly sent $17 million to Atlanta to cover some of Sale’s $27.5 million salary in 2024.
Grissom, who turns 23 on Jan. 5, slashed .280/.313/.347 in 23 games for the Braves in 2023 after spending most of the season putting up solid numbers in Triple-A. He figures to see time at second base ini Boston.
Fans generally agreed it’s a great trade for Atlanta if Sale can stay healthy. and that Grissom is a good return.
When Healthy.
— TA (@ta19061906) December 30, 2023
Completely worth the money and trade. Boston legend.
— Nolan Giblin (@nolangiblin9) December 30, 2023