The Braves bolstered their 2024 rotation on December 30, as seven-time All-Star Chris Sale was traded to Atlanta. In exchange for Sale, the Braves sent infielder Vaughn Grissom to the Red Sox in a straight one-for-one deal. Here’s a closer look at the two pieces involved in the Chris Sale trade.
Related: MLB 2023-24 Offseason Transactions Tracker – Notable trades, signings, more
The Braves’ Return
- SP Chris Sale (4.30 ERA, 125 K over 102.2 IP)
The past five years have been a rollercoaster for left-hander Chris Sale, who played a key role in Boston’s World Series championship season in 2018.
Since then, the lefty’s had just two seasons in which he threw 100 or more innings. The 2019 campaign saw Sale deal with a dip in velocity, and the lefty missed all of 2020 and most of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery.
Injuries weighed on Sale yet again in 2023, as left shoulder inflammation shut him down for two months this summer. The 34-year-old, though, was able to rebound late in the year and struck out 54 over 43.2 IP over the second half.
Sale’s fastball velocity dipped considerably over the years, but he was able to crank it up consistently in the mid-90s before hitting the IL in June. But even sitting at 92-94 MPH, Sale’s low arm slot makes it tough to pick up when pounded up.
But what’s given Sale an edge over the years is his slider, a pitch that gets both lefties and righties thanks in large part to plus-plus movement.
Additionally, Sale will still make use of his changeup and sinker. The 34-year-old almost exclusively uses the change against right-handed hitters. The sinker — his bread-and-butter pitch with the White Sox — is a pitch he’s used less of in recent years.
All in all, Sale ranked above average in whiff and hard hit rates last year, as well as in the 92nd percentile in Chase% rate (33.6%) last season per Statcast.
As part of the trade, the Red Sox will reportedly cover $17MM of the $27.5MM owed to Chris Sale in 2024. Sale, who also has a $20MM club option for 2025, waived his no-trade clause to complete the trade
The Red Sox’s Return
- INF Vaughn Grissom (.280/.313/.347, 0 HR and 4 XBH in 23 G (80 PA))
Former Braves infielder Vaughn Grissom hit his way up through the Minor League ladder. The 22-year-old owns a career MiLB average of .320 and an OPS of .884 and rolled through High-A and Double-A in 2022 to earn his first taste of the Majors.
Grissom was called up out of necessity, thanks to an injury to Ozzie Albies. The young infielder did well in Albies’ absence, as Grissom hit .291./.353/.440 with five home runs and 11 extra-base hits over 41 games.
The ex-Brave seemed to be a favorite to win the starting shortstop job in Spring Training this past March after the departure of Dansby Swanson. However, Orlando Arcia ultimately won the job.
Arcia flourished as the Braves shortstop, as he hit 17 home runs and played solid defensively to earn himself an All-Star nod this past July. Grissom did fine in Triple-A, as he hit .330/.419/.501 with eight home runs and 36 extra-base hits over 102 games. However, the 22-year-old no longer had an opening at the MLB level.
The new Red Sox has an above-average hit tool. He doesn’t strike out a lot, has good bat speed, and could be a 15-20 home run hitter at the MLB level. At the same token, where Grissom ultimately ends up on the diamond remains a mystery.
Grissom spent the vast majority of his MiLB career at short but did also receive some time at second and third. The 22-year-old has never received high marks for his work at short. Grissom has fringe arm strength and questionable range.
Between his short time at short and second at the MLB level, Grissom has a career OAA of -13.
Analysis
The Red Sox were reportedly listening on Sale last offseason. However, Sale’s recent injury history and lack of depth in the rotation made it unlikely that anything would get done. Fast forward a year later, and the Sox have moved on from their former ace.
For the Red Sox, Boston gets the oft-injured Sale and some of his owed salary off the books and can now move ahead with Vaughn Grissom. The Red Sox could look to pair Grissom with SS Trevor Story in the middle infield come 2024. Grissom’s defensive capabilities, though, will be under the microscope.
As for the Braves, Atlanta finally acquired another starter to pair with Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Charlie Morton for 2024. We knew the Braves were looking for pitching, as Atlanta reportedly made a strong run at Aaron Nola before he re-signed with the Phillies.
Atlanta did need another arm for that rotation to keep up with the powers in the NL, as the Braves’ options for the fourth and fifth spots in their 2024 rotation included AJ Smith-Shawver, Darius Vines, Allan Winans, and Dylan Dodd. Bryce Elder, who had a very good first half but faded later on, is also another option.
But with this move, the Braves get a well-known commodity who can still beat hitters with efficiency.
The health of Chris Sale, though, will decide whether this trade is a success for the Braves.