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Red Sox exercise option on Chris Sale

World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Boston Red Sox - Game One

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Charles Krupa - Pool/Gettyimages)

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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.

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