There was a lot of doubt swirling around the Braves' decision to trade for Chris Sale last December. Atlanta traded a budding top prospect for a "washed-up" pitcher that couldn't stay healthy.
However, critics seem to forget that Alex Anthopoulos has a knack for knowing when a player still has something left in the tank. Sale also benefitted from a full and healthy offseason. He also seemed to just be happy to leave Boston where he felt he let everyone down.
All of that accumulated into one of the best seasons of Chris Sale's career. He was the first NL pitcher to win the pitching Triple Crown since fellow lefty Clayton Kershaw accomplished the feat in 2011. Sale's 2.38 ERA, 225 strikeouts, and 18-3 record also led to him winning the first Cy Young of his career.
It was hard to believe that he's never won a Cy Young before but that is the case. Sale also won awards for a Gold Glove, Comeback Player of the Year, and Outstanding NL pitcher. He proved the Braves right in every single way possible as he was still a cut above the rest.
Chris Sale's award winning 2024 performance proves the Braves are in great hands
His success shows just how good of hands the organization is in with Alex Anthopoulos at the helm. Will Sale have the same caliber of performance in 2025? That's a tough question to answer but it seems he's found a way to at least stay healthy and that's the most important thing for Sale.
The trade for Sale was impressive for the sole fact that the Braves traded one prospect and got the Red Sox to pay for Sale's salary. However, Anthopoulos took advantage of that and restructured Sale's deal and even gave him an extension.
Randy Johnson vs. Chris Sale, 99mph Fastball Mechanics (at 35 years old). pic.twitter.com/NxYKglQe3N
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 20, 2024
His new deal was a two-year, $38 million contract that took away the deferred payments included in his previous one. Sale made $16 million in 2024 and will make $22 million in 2025.
This provided confidence to the southpaw that he was wanted in Atlanta and they believed in his ability to succeed. Sale essentially cost the Braves nothing and won a Cy Young Award. You can't ask for more than that.
Couple this great contract and Sale being one of the best pitchers in baseball and it proves just how good the front office is at doing their job. He led all MLB-qualified pitchers in ERA (2.38), FIP (2.09), xFIP (2.64), SIERA (2.80), K% (32.1), HR/9 (0.46), and fWAR (6.4). These are absolutely dominant numbers from a pitcher many thought was "washed up."
The only question fans will have is if Sale will replicate this success in 2025. If anyone can do it, it's Chris Sale. His idol Randy Johnson seemed to get better as he reached the age of 35. There's a chance Atlanta's ace lefty follows the same trajectory.
We get a little greedy in the ATL and wonder what could be next for Chris Sale. His idol, Randy Johnson, picked up his second Cy at the same age that Sale earned his first.
— CJ (@CJNitkowski) November 21, 2024
Could a few dominant years follow? Unit pitched until he was 45. pic.twitter.com/GekBnJmf7w
It's hard to fathom Sale doing the same thing the Big Unit did but if anyone has the tenacity to accomplish it, it's him. The next few years could be special for Atlanta's number 51 and it's exciting to be able to see him do it for the home team. Maybe fans will even get to see him start the MLB All-Star game in Atlanta.