Former Red Sox Ace Could Be Top MLB Trade Deadline Prize, Insider Says

Chris Sale might be packing his bags … again.

The former Red Sox ace could be the biggest prize on market before the July 31 trade deadline, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.

Much depends on the Braves playing up to their potential. Atlanta, with an uninspiring record of 29-38, sits in fourth place in the National League East. But if the Braves don’t get hot, Sale will “at least inspire calls,” according to Heyman.

“Sale would bring a haul in a thin market, but his $18 million team-friendly 2026 club option makes them disinclined to trade him,” Heyman says.

The 36-year-old left-hander is the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. He won the pitching Triple Crown last season, leading the league in wins (18), ERA (2.38) and strikeouts (225).

The 2024 campaign was his first in Atlanta, following seven seasons in Boston.

The Red Sox traded for Sale before the 2017 season, getting him from the Chicago White Sox in a five-player deal.

The southpaw struck out a career-best 308 batters in his first season in Boston and finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting.

Sale’s signature moment with the Red Sox came the following year, when he struck out Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Manny Machado for the final out of the 2018 World Series.

During spring training in 2019, the Red Sox signed Sale to a five-year, $145 million contract extension. It turned out to be a poor investment for Boston.

From there, it was all downhill as a series of injuries (including Tommy John surgery) conspired to keep Sale off the mound. From 2019 to 2023, Sale made just 56 starts.

Boston parted ways with Sale after the 2023 season, sending him to the Braves for infielder Vaughn Grissom.