Inside The Red Sox

Red Sox Experiencing Painful Regret Over Trading Away Cy Young Candidate

No franchise has a perfect track record when it comes to trades

Colin Keane

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The Boston Red Sox have made many beneficial transactions over the past year, but one trade stands out as undoubtedly regrettable for Boston.

When the Red Sox traded starter Chris Sale and cash to the Atlanta Braves for Vaughn Grissom in late December 2023, Sale was viewed as a diminishing asset due to a recent history of injuries.

Fast forward eight months, and Sales’s value has skyrocketed, as the 35-year-old has stayed healthy for the Braves and pitched at a Cy Young level. He was elected to the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game as a reserve, a feat that had to leave Boston fans with a bitter feeling.

Apparently, the Red Sox franchise itself is experiencing regret over dealing away Sale, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

“The Boston Red Sox can’t help but wonder if only they had retained Chris Sale instead of trading him to Atlanta for injured infielder Vaughn Grissom,” Nightengale said on Sunday.

“If it’s not painful enough for the Red Sox watching Sale emerge as the leading NL Cy Young candidate, they also are paying him $17 million for his salary this year, with Atlanta paying just $500,000 this season.”

With starting pitching being one of Boston’s primary concerns this season, Sale’s absence stings all the more acutely.

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Colin Keane

COLIN KEANE

Colin Keane is a contributing journalist for "Boston Red Sox On SI." Born in Illinois, Colin grew up in Massachusetts as the third of four brothers. For his high school education, Colin attended St. Mark's School (Southborough, MA), where he played basketball and soccer and served as student body president. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Villanova University. Colin currently resides in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

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