In another non-shocker in a series of not-shocking option decisions, the Boston Red Sox have exercised their 2019 option for Chris Sale. He’ll make $13.5 million next year.
A bargain given that Sale is one of the top pitchers in the game and, barring an injury late in the season, likely would’ve been the Cy Young Award winner in the American League. He’ll still probably finish second behind Blake Snell. He’s still an inner-circle ace, still playing on the five-year, $32.5 million deal he signed with the White Sox back before the 2013 season began. That pact had two option years on it, this being the second.
Sale a posted a 2.11 ERA and 237/34 K/BB ratio over 158 innings in 2018. His health and stamina issues late in the year were apparent, but he closed out the World Series victory Sunday night and will have the whole offseason to rest.
