The Boston Red Sox have stirred from their offseason slumber with a flurry of significant moves at the close of 2023, signaling a dramatic makeover for their starting rotation. After securing Lucas Giolito through a two-year, $38.5 million free agency deal, the Red Sox further revamped their pitching staff by trading Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Vaughn Grissom.
Throughout the offseason, the pressing issue for Boston has been the need to bolster their pitching, with Sale contributing to the problem rather than the solution. Once regarded as the ace of their staff, Sale’s recent seasons have been marred by injuries and declining performance, making his departure an essential step.
While signing Giolito to replace Sale carries its own risks, the deal’s limited duration, potentially reducing it to a one-year commitment, mitigates some of that risk. Nevertheless, the starting rotation still requires reinforcement, and the front office must act swiftly now that Sale is no longer in the picture.
Chris Sale’s legacy with the Red Sox will forever be enshrined in the 2018 World Series, when he struck out Manny Machado to secure the championship. However, his subsequent years were characterized by inconsistency and struggles. Over the following five seasons, Sale made just 56 starts, resulting in a 17-18 record, a 4.16 ERA, 400 strikeouts, and a 1.14 WHIP.
While Sale’s strikeout ability remained intact, he conceded runs at a higher rate, primarily due to difficulties in regaining command of his changeup after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020. This limitation reduced him to primarily a two-pitch pitcher, and despite his outstanding slider, maintaining effectiveness with a limited repertoire became a challenge.
Parting ways with Sale was a necessary move, one that the Red Sox may have postponed for too long. The extension offered to Sale following the World Series triumph ultimately proved ill-fated. While shedding the final year of his contract provides some financial relief, the savings are not extravagant with his trade to Atlanta.
The acquisition of Grissom, a promising young second baseman ready to assume an everyday role, represents a reasonable return for Sale. Ideally, adding a pitching prospect in exchange for Sale would have been preferable, but the available options were likely limited.
With Sale’s departure, the focus must now shift to fortifying the pitching staff. Even before Sale’s exit, additional pitching help was essential. Fortunately, several top-tier starting pitchers remain on the free-agent market, and the sale of Sale has freed up approximately $8 million for the Red Sox.
Two prominent names that align with Boston’s needs are Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, arguably the best arms available in the market. Snell recently secured his second Cy Young award in 2023, boasting impressive statistics (14-9, 2.25 ERA, 234 strikeouts, and a 1.19 WHIP). Meanwhile, Montgomery played a pivotal role in the Texas Rangers’ World Series victory after starting the year with the St. Louis Cardinals (10-11, 3.20 ERA, 166 strikeouts, and a 1.09 WHIP).
Both Snell and Montgomery come with significant price tags, which might give pause, considering Boston’s history of missing out on marquee free agents due to financial constraints. Snell’s high ceiling makes him an appealing choice, but Montgomery offers cost-effectiveness and a proven track record on the grandest stage.
As the new year unfolds, and with the financial flexibility resulting from Sale’s trade, it becomes imperative for the Red Sox to make a decisive move. Without substantial additions to their roster, particularly in the pitching department, the Red Sox risk a challenging 2024 season. The time has come to invest in talent, and with Sale’s departure, the urgency is greater than ever.