Thank You, Chris Sale
Chris Sale’s time with the Boston Red Sox has ended. One blockbuster trade later and he’s on his way to Atlanta to add to a good Braves rotation. I’m still processing the trade as many Red Sox fans are. This is the Red Sox ripping off the bandage in a sense. Nevertheless, Sale deserves his flowers.
After the 2016 season, the Red Sox were weird after losing Red Sox icon David Ortiz to retirement with no ready-made replacement; David Price’s rocky first season in Boston, and Rick Porcello won the AL CY Young award.
When Chris Sale was traded to the Red Sox, it was a signal to the fanbase that this organization was still focused on winning no matter the cost. Sale was everything Red Sox fans could have asked for in a true ace of a pitching staff.
Sale’s Red Sox Tenure:
I want to remember Sale for his spectacular first two seasons with the Red Sox; in 2017, when he led the league with 214.1 innings of work and 304 strikeouts with Gerrit Cole being the only active player ahead of him with more strikeouts in a season. Chris Sale was good for a 2.90 ERA, 2.45 FIP and led the MLB with 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
In 2018, his numbers dipped slightly but that did not matter because he was the best pitcher on a World Series Champion. A team that feels like forever ago, with Rafael Devers being the last remaining member of that squad still in Boston.
On top of what he did on the mound, Sale was the voice that woke the Red Sox up to work their way back and win game 4 against the Dodgers. Without the contributions of Sale the Red Sox are nowhere close to a World Series; I don’t blame the organization for extending him because if they didn’t another team would have.
Sale, from 2019-2023, was a shell of himself because of injuries and bad luck. I will not hold anything against him, because it was not on him … maybe the biking accident but regardless. Sale embodies what playing for Boston means, giving your very best any and every time you can compete.
I hope Sale bounces back with Atlanta having that responsibility of trying to be “the guy” again for a Red Sox team to being a good contributor on a contender should do him well. Sale is still very good, and Atlanta is getting an absolute maniac in the nicest way possible. His competitive spirit is something I will miss most about his time in Boston.
The Future:
As for Boston, I hope Vaughn Grissom thrives, and that Boston has a good response for trading Sale. This pitching staff needs an upgrade now more than ever. As bittersweet as it is I am optimistic that the Red Sox have more moves in the pipeline.
Thank you, Chris Sale for your competitiveness, your talent and your leadership in the biggest moments. Good Luck in Atlanta.
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