On Saturday the Red Sox announced they have lockup their ace with a contract extension.
FORT MYERS, Fla. - What a difference three hours made for Chris Sale on Saturday.
The left-hander was in his comfort zone under the brilliant afternoon sunshine, taking the JetBlue Park mound as the Red Sox closed out their Grapefruit League schedule with a 12-3 shelling of the Pirates.
Sale’s morning press conference alongside Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was a bit of a different scene. Tapping his left foot anxiously and occasionally staring down at the banquet table in front of him, Sale chronicled the series of events that led to the five-year, $145-million contract extension announced by the club earlier in the morning.
“I’ve said it a million times – I’m a baseball player,” Sale said. “That’s my deal. I don’t really like talking about all this stuff. I’m not really the biggest fan of the business side of baseball.”
The Red Sox and their ace came to official terms exactly one week before Sale’s 30th birthday, one he’ll celebrate 48 hours after Opening Day in Seattle. Boston initiated discussions with Sale and his representatives prior to spring training and had every intention of completing a deal before beginning defense of its ninth World Series title in franchise history.
“Players want to be focused when the season starts,” Dombrowski said. “We want to be focused on winning, so we thought it was really important to get it done before the season began.”
Sale’s dedication to that cause might have explained the attendees standing along the back and side walls of the interview room. Manager Alex Cora and the majority of his coaching staff, Sale’s fellow members of the starting rotation, Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. were among those spotted. Sale’s willingness to pitch through left shoulder pain during last year’s postseason garnered respect throughout the clubhouse and in the corner office.
“If there’s any other level for him, bring it,” Cora said. “We’re very proud of him. I’m very happy. I’ve been saying all along those type of guys, they’re amazing.”
The Red Sox have compiled a 40-19 record over the past two seasons with Sale pitching. Boston has received a strong return on its investment after sending a prospect package headlined by Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech to the White Sox for Sale in December 2016. Sale was liberated from a Chicago team that never reached the playoffs during his seven seasons and closed above the .500 mark only twice.
“We’re not just trying to win this year,” Sale said. “We’re trying to win next year and the year beyond. Especially in this day and age, when half the league isn’t trying to win anything and we’re trying to win every year, that says a lot. As players, you can’t not respect it.”
Sale is one of four starters under team control through at least the 2021 season. David Price and Nathan Eovaldi are each signed through the next four years and Eduardo Rodriguez is eligible for salary arbitration in each of the next two. The Red Sox will have every chance to improve on their run of three straight American League East titles and continue to enjoy playoff success.
“We’ve got some horses in this rotation,” Sale said. “That’s a plus. That’s a big step in the right direction for winning. Like I said, I like to win. Last year was awesome. I want to keep doing that.”
The comforts of home also played a factor in Sale’s decision. He’s a native of nearby Lakeland, attended college in town at Florida Gulf Coast and lives only a few minutes from the ballpark. Sale is able to spend an extra two months per year with his family, and he’s been a fixture at Little League games and practices this spring involving his oldest son, Rylan.
“For me, the best possible deal wasn’t the most money,” Sale said. “And that is for some people, and I respect it. And I actually would tell people to do that. Go to free agency, maximize your opportunity, get everything you can. We have a very small window as athletes in any sport to maximize our opportunity.”
According to The Athletic, Sale’s contract contains an opt-out clause following the 2021 season. That coincides with the expiration date of Major League Baseball’s Collective Bargaining Agreement and was a provision proposed by Sale’s agent, B.B. Abbott. The front end of Boston’s pitching staff appears all but set until that time arrives.
“They’re trying to keep our window open as long as possible,” Price said. “Some teams wouldn’t do that. The Red Sox aren’t afraid of that.”