Seven-time All-Star Chris Sale has waived his no-trade clause to join the Atlanta Braves. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the teams agreed to a deal Saturday.

The Red Sox will receive Vaughn Grissom in exchange. Entering the offseason, the Red Sox needed a second baseman. Grissom is well-regarded at the position but can play either middle infield position.

The Red Sox will also send some money to help cover some of Sale’s $27.5 million. Before the 2020 season, the Sox signed Sale to a five-year extension. Which covers the 2024 season, it also has a team option for 2025.

It’s unclear whether Chris Sale can still be a top-end starter, which Atlanta needs. Though it’ll be worth a shot to see what he has left. After returning from injury in 2023, Sale pitched to a 6-5 record with a 4.30 ERA across 102.2 innings. The injury bug has gotten the best of him over the past couple of seasons. As of now, Sale slots in as the No. 4 starter in the Braves rotation.

The deal comes a day after the Red Sox signed Lucas Giolito. The addition of Grissom gives him a fair chance to show what he’s capable of. Although, the Braves could have played Grissom in the outfield, the addition of Jarred Kelenic made the former expendable.

In his first 26 games in the majors, Grissom looked the part hitting .347/.398/.558 while filling in for an injured Albies. 

Sale may never get back to his elite form, but the 2023 campaign showed us that he can at least be serviceable. The Red Sox are including $17M in the deal, which means the Braves will only owe him the $10.5m.

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