The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a five-year extension with left-handed ace Chris Sale:
That’s our ace. #SaleDay pic.twitter.com/Ri3P4UGlCW
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 23, 2019
Ace Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a five-year contract extension in the $150 million range, pending a physical, league sources tell ESPN. Deal adds to his current contract, covers the 2020-24 seasons. Physical next week. @Ken_Rosenthal had it done first.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 22, 2019
Since being traded to Boston prior to the 2017 season, Chris Sale has amassed a 29-12 record with a 2.56 ERA and a 13.18 K/9, firmly establishing himself as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.
Sale, who turns 30 next Saturday, would have been a free agent at the end of this season, but the Red Sox got aggressive in securing their rotation for the foreseeable future. There had been a feeling since the beginning of camp that the interest in an extension was mutual, and now Sale will pull in a $30 million AAV.
Despite his dominance in the regular season, Sale has had less success in the postseason. He was rocked for four homers in two appearances against the Houston Astros in the 2017 ALDS, and he posted a 4.17 ERA in 15 1/3 innings last October.
Sale also dealt with shoulder inflammation, although he has actually remained mostly healthy throughout his career despite his extremely unorthodox delivery. The Red Sox also wanted to keep the top of their rotation intact with Rick Porcello likely leaving in free agency after this season.
With Sale earning a massive payday, the Red Sox have a lot of decision-making to do in the near future. Their payroll has already surpassed the second luxury tax threshold, but they could also look to extend Mookie Betts to a long-term contract with their superstar eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts will be a free agent after this season, and J.D. Martinez might opt out of his current deal after 2020.
But for now, Boston has its ace secured.
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