The Boston Red Sox have one fewer pending free agent to worry about.
Chris Sale has reached a 5-year deal with the Red Sox that runs through the 2024 season the team announced Saturday.
On Friday, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic the deal contains $145 million in new money, but that it would likely be announced as a 6-year, $160M contract. The reporter said Sale had passed his physical and the deal was done.
Rosenthal reported that Sale would earn $15 million in 2019, the last year of his previous deal, before earning $30 million in 2020, 2021 and 2022, then $27.5 million in 2023 and 2024. Sale has an opt-out clause after the 2022 season, Rosenthal said.
Sale, who was set to hit free agency after this 2019 season, said earlier this spring he was open to signing an extension with Boston. He'll turn 30 in May, but is coming off a strong season in which he posted a 2.11 ERA and 12-4 record in 27 starts.
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Pitcher Rick Porcello, shortstop Xander Bogaerts and designated hitter J.D. Martinez all can hit free agency next offseason, but locking up Sale gives the Red Sox much-needed peace of mind knowing their best pitcher is sticking around.
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