Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves
When the Atlanta Braves made the bold move to trade Vaughn Grissom for Chris Sale, the reaction from fans and analysts was far from favorable. The trade, which saw the Braves part with a young infielder with potential for an aging pitcher with an injury history, was immediately scrutinized. Critics were quick to point out that Sale, at 34, had been battling injuries for much of the previous four seasons and had posted lackluster numbers when healthy. Some even went so far as to label Sale as “washed-up,” with Deadspin’s Mackenzie Meaney calling him “cooked” after a 4.30 ERA in 2023.
But, as is often the case in baseball, the reality is far more nuanced. While Sale had been plagued by injuries, including a brief and disappointing stint in 2021 and 2022, his stuff still had elite potential. With a 3.80 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) and a strikeout rate of 11.0 K/9, the underlying metrics suggested Sale was still capable of dominance. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos took a gamble, trading away a young player in Grissom, who was blocked at the major league level by a deep infield, for a pitcher with a track record of success and still some gas left in the tank.
A Gamble that Paid Off Big
As the 2024 season unfolded, Anthopoulos’ gamble turned out to be an overwhelming success. Chris Sale responded in a way that no one could have expected: he turned in the best season of his career. Sale, for the first time since his prime years in Chicago, dominated on the mound. He won the National League Triple Crown, leading the NL with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and an astonishing 225 strikeouts. It was the first time since Clayton Kershaw accomplished the feat over a decade ago that a pitcher had taken home the coveted NL Triple Crown.
Sale’s resurgence was nothing short of remarkable. In a season where many thought he was on the decline, Sale became one of the most formidable pitchers in the game, helping anchor the Braves’ pitching staff and putting them in a position to contend. The Braves, who had an abundance of young talent in their infield, had no clear role for Grissom. The trade, in hindsight, looked like a steal.
Grissom’s Struggles in Boston
While it’s still too early to make definitive judgments on Vaughn Grissom’s future in Boston, his early returns have been underwhelming. In his first season with the Red Sox, Grissom was frequently sidelined by injury and appeared in just 31 major league games and 55 minor league games. When he was on the field, the results were disappointing. Grissom slashed just .190/.265/.465 with a .465 OPS, struggling to find consistency at the plate.
However, there’s a silver lining for Grissom: in Boston’s push for a Wild Card spot late in the season, he showed flashes of promise. Over the final eight games of the season, Grissom slashed a solid .333/.370/.417, giving Red Sox fans hope for the future. With rumors swirling that Grissom could compete for the starting second base job next season, it’s too early to label him a failure or a bust in Boston. His development still has time to unfold.
The Braves Have Already Won
Even with Grissom showing promise in a small sample size, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that the Braves have already won the trade. Atlanta acquired a pitcher who became the ace of their staff and helped lead them to the postseason, all while not having to rely on Grissom, whose future with the team was uncertain due to a crowded infield.
In hindsight, the Braves were not in need of Grissom’s services at the major league level, as they already had an established infield. The acquisition of Sale has already given them far more value than they ever could have gotten from Grissom, who was on the bench or in the minors for most of the year.
Chris Sale’s 2024 performance has proven that sometimes, a player just needs a change of scenery to reignite their career. In this case, it was a move to a World Series contender that gave Sale the motivation and support system to return to form. Meanwhile, the Braves’ depth allowed them to move on from a player who no longer had a clear role on the team.
Looking Forward
As for the Red Sox, it’s still too early to make any long-term assessments on Grissom’s potential in Boston. He has talent, but his journey to becoming a regular starter will be a process. The trade may not go down as a failure, but it’s fair to say that the Braves have already gotten far more out of Chris Sale than the Red Sox have from Grissom, despite his late-season showing.
While the Braves have won the trade, it’s important to remember that baseball is a long game. Vaughn Grissom’s story is far from finished, and his future with the Red Sox remains an intriguing one. For now, however, the Braves have every right to feel good about this deal, as Sale’s remarkable turnaround has already paid dividends and could very well be the difference-maker for Atlanta in their quest for another title.
