Baseball fans, hold onto your hats because the Atlanta Braves have just made a dazzling move! In a twist of fate, the Braves have reworked the contract for their newest acquisition, the illustrious left-handed pitcher, Chris Sale. Buckle up, folks, because this deal is one for the books.
Let's break it down. The Braves and Sale have agreed upon a jaw-dropping $38 million, two-year contract, with an additional club option for 2026 worth a cool $18 million. This new agreement trumps Sale's previous deal, which called for a $27.5 million salary for this year, adding a delightful twist to his earnings.
But here's where things get really interesting. You see, Sale will now receive an incredible $10.5 million in guaranteed money without having to wait YEARS for a deferred payment. That's right, folks. No need to check your calendars; you heard correctly. Sale just hit the jackpot with this brilliant move.
Now, I know what you're thinking: what's the catch? Well, Sale has committed to at least two glorious seasons with the Braves instead of just one. In return, he gets that extra chunk of change, and who could blame him? The man deserves to be showered in golden coins for his prodigious talents.
Now, let's take a moment to talk about Sale's injury history. We wouldn't want to overlook the risk this deal presents to the Braves. Over the past four seasons, Sale has seen his fair share of time on the injured list, making only 31 starts in total. In 2021, he managed to make 20 starts with a respectable 4.30 ERA, which was apparently enough to convince the Braves that he's the missing piece to their rotation puzzle.
But hey, who are we to doubt the wisdom of the Braves' front office? After all, they won an astonishing 104 games and clinched their sixth straight NL East title last season, only to bow out to Philadelphia in the Division Series. With Sale on board, they're hoping he can provide the much-needed boost to their rotation, which was lacking depth.
Sale will join a talented group of hurlers that includes the likes of All-Stars Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder, the seasoned ace Max Fried, and the ageless wonder, 40-year-old Charlie Morton. But wait, there's more! We can't forget the promising prospects, AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep, who could also find themselves in the mix for starts. Talk about a treasure trove of pitching talent!
When you look at Sale's performance in the latter part of 2021, there's reason to be optimistic. Despite his injury-plagued career, he managed to post a respectable 3.92 ERA over nine starts for the Red Sox, consistently keeping opponents at bay. He even held them to two earned runs or fewer in six of those starts. Not too shabby, if you ask me.
Let's not forget Sale's track record though. He has been a force to be reckoned with, boasting seven consecutive seasons with double-figure wins, each accompanied by an All-Star selection and a top-six finish in the AL Cy Young award race. The man is one hell of a pitcher when he's healthy and firing on all cylinders.
Of course, we can't ignore the financial aspect of this deal either. Sale's original contract with the Boston Red Sox was a massive $160 million, six-year agreement. It included a team option for 2025, which originally called for $5 million to be deferred until the distant year of 2040. Talk about a big check in the mail!
So, there you have it, folks. The Braves have taken a leap of faith with Chris Sale, choosing to embrace the risk that comes with his injury-filled career. Only time will tell if this move will pay off, but one thing's for sure — the Braves are swinging for the fences, and they're not holding anything back.
So, sit back, relax, and let us witness the magic unfold. This $38 million, two-year extravaganza could be just the spark the Atlanta Braves need to reignite their championship dreams.
