The Atlanta Braves have made a significant move to bolster their pitching staff, acquiring oft-injured pitcher Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox. The trade, reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, sees the Braves sending infielder Vaughn Grissom to the Red Sox in exchange for Sale.
Sale, a 34-year-old lefty, has had a challenging few seasons due to injuries and inconsistency. He only made two starts in the 2020 season and has made just nine starts in 2021, pitching to a 4.30 ERA. However, the Braves are hoping that Sale can regain his form and provide a much-needed boost to their rotation.
In 2018, Sale was a key contributor to the Boston Red Sox’s World Series championship, going 12-3 with a remarkable 2.11 ERA and 237 strikeouts. The Braves are banking on Sale tapping into that previous success and providing a reliable option behind their current rotation leaders, Max Fried and Spencer Strider.
The move comes as the Braves deal with injuries to their pitching staff. Charlie Morton was injured in September, and other key arms like Ian Anderson are also in the recovery process. The acquisition of Sale gives the Braves some much-needed depth and experience on the mound.
On the other side of the trade, the Red Sox likely felt comfortable parting ways with Sale after signing Lucas Giolito to a two-year deal. Giolito’s addition provided the Red Sox with another strong arm in their rotation, making Sale expendable.
Both the Braves and the Red Sox had their share of disappointment in the 2021 season. The Braves were eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series, while the Red Sox missed out on the postseason entirely. The trade represents an opportunity for both teams to regroup and make the necessary moves to improve their chances in the upcoming seasons.
As for Vaughn Grissom, the infielder has appeared in 64 games over the past two seasons, splitting time between the major league and Triple-A. The move to the Red Sox presents a chance for Grissom to continue his development and potentially make an impact at the major league level.
Overall, the acquisition of Chris Sale by the Atlanta Braves is a significant move that has the potential to pay off if Sale can regain his previous form. The Braves are hoping that Sale’s experience and talent can help solidify their pitching staff and make them strong contenders in the seasons to come.
