The Red Sox put the ball in Chris Sale’s court when it came to his future in 2024 and beyond.
While Craig Breslow and Boston’s top brass tested the waters to see what the southpaw could command in a trade, any deal needed approval from Sale himself.
But when the Red Sox approached Sale about a potential trade to a top contender in the Atlanta Braves, the former ace gave the green light.
Sale, who inked a two-year, $38 million extension with Atlanta on Thursday, was asked during his introductory Zoom call with the Braves about why he decided to waive his no-trade clause and leave Boston.