Atlanta Braves sign veteran LHSP Chris Sale to a 2-Year $38 Million Contract Extension

On Thursday, January 4^th, 2024 the Atlanta Braves have signed their recently acquired veteran left – handed starting pitcher, Chris Sale, to a 2 – year contract extension worth up to approximately $38 million, restructuring his deal in the aftermath of his trade from the Boston Red Sox just about a week or so ago.

Sale’s previous contract ran straight through the year of 2024, and it guaranteed Chris $27.5 million even though $10 million of it was deferred money that brought the present value down to around $20 – 21 million as well as including a $20 million club option for the 2025 MLB season.

Chris Sale’s New Contract with the Atlanta Braves:

This new deal Sale just inked with the Atlanta Braves bumps Sale’s present – day guarantee big – time by giving him $16 million for 2024 and $22 million for 2025, while the Atlanta Braves add a buyout – free $18 million club option for the year of 2026 according to sources close to the organization and the league.

The Atlanta Braves’ overall unwavering commitment to Sale (who will turn 35 on March 30^th, 2024) was already extremely transparent when the Atlanta Braves decided to trade Vaughn Grissom who was the franchise’s top prospect at the plate, to the Red Sox for Sale as well as $17 million cash money.

“They put their faith and trust in me,” Chris Sale expressed. “This allows me to be more comfortable knowing I’m going to be here a couple of years and can get settled in.”

The Atlanta Braves Starting Pitching Rotation:

While the cash will pay Sale’s salary this year, the Atlanta Braves overall commitment to Chris in 2025 and purchasing of the 2026 option gives the Atlanta Braves conviction as their pitching rotation is most likely to inevitably change soon enough.

The Atlanta Braves left – handed ace starting pitcher in Max Fried, who is currently the Atlanta Braves longest – tenured starter hurler, is scheduled to enter the MLB free agency market following the 2024 MLB season, and he could get a new contract exceeding $200 million, a number that will doubtfully fit the Atlanta Braves’ roster budget.

The Atlanta Braves right – hander, Charlie Morton, has now turned 40 – years – old, and Morton could retire very soon.

Now with Spencer Strider as the only Atlanta Braves starting pitching rotation staple that they locked up under contract past this upcoming 2024 MLB season, the Atlanta Braves then turned to signing Sale in hopes that the crafty veteran lefty arm in Chris will help lead the next generation of the Atlanta Braves pitchers that includes A. J. Smith – Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Bryce Elder.

Chris Sale’s Comeback Effort:

Sale’s recent resurgence last year during the 2023 MLB season came following a 4 – year stretch that bumped him off what looked at one point like a first ballot Hall of Fame professional baseball career.

After his 7 – consecutive MLB All – Star appearances and top – six Cy Young finishes, Chris started falling off the radar as one the game’s premier players back in 2019, right after Sale signed a 5 – year contract extension valued at $145 million with the Boston Red Sox. Chris missed all of 2020 and the majority of 2021 following Sale having to undergo Tommy John surgery, then started only 2 – MLB games back in 2022 due to back issues, a broken finger as well as a broken wrist too.

“The best days of my life were there and the worst days of my life were there,” Sale stated in reference of his Boston Red Sox tenure. “I’ll be forever grateful to them. I made a commitment to them and didn’t hold up my end of the bargain. But they always had my back.”

Throughout Sale’s 20 – starting pitching assignments last season, Chris posted an ERA of 4.30 over his total of 102 ⅔ – innings, he struck out 125 – hitters and walked only 29 – batters. Sale’s stuff remained strong enough that the Atlanta Braves who were conscious of the cost of front – line starting pitching that was available in the 2023 – 2024 MLB free agency period so the Braves invested in one of the most accomplished pitchers in baseball at the moment.

Sale’s résumé includes a great 120 – 80 record, an ERA of 3.10 over his 1,780 ⅔ – innings pitched, and 2,189 – strikeouts, more than 5 – times his base on balls that he issued over that time. Chris’ 11.1 – strikeouts per 9 – innings remains the highest mark ever for a Major League Baseball starting pitcher.

With Chris Sale joining Strider, Fried, and Morton in the Atlanta Braves starting pitching rotation plus an outstanding batting line – up including the reigning National League MVP in Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, and Matt Olson. The Atlanta Braves are currently the heavy favorites to win the National League East for the 7^th – consecutive MLB season, and they are also solid contenders to win the 2024 MLB World Series.

“I’m excited to join this staff,” says Sale. “We can feed off each other and compete for another division title and hopefully a World Series championship.”

Sale’s Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards:

• 7 – Time MLB All – Star Selection (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
• World Series Champion (2018)
• 2 – Time American League Strikeout Leader (2015, 2017)

MLB Records:

• Fastest to 2,000 Strikeouts with 1,626 innings
• Most Immaculate Innings Pitched with 3 (tied with Sandy Koufax and Max Scherzer)
• MLB Record 11.1 Career Strikeouts per 9 Innings