The Boston Red Sox need to get creative if they want to improve their roster this offseason. Might that include trading their oft-injured ace?
Teams are "checking on" the availability of left-hander Chris Sale, and the Red Sox "are at least willing to listen and consider" their offers, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Sunday.
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Sale still has three years and $75 million remaining on his contract and also has a full no-trade clause, meaning he can veto any potential deal out of Boston. But a fresh start might benefit both sides in this scenario.
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The 33-year-old has made just 11 total appearances since the end of the 2019 season due to a variety of injuries, including a broken wrist he suffered during a bizarre bicycle accident in August 2022. He hasn't lived up to the five-year, $145 million contract he signed after the 2019 campaign, and it's hard to trust that he'll stay healthy for a full season at this point.
When he is healthy, though, Sale is one of MLB's best pitchers. He made seven straight All-Star teams from 2012 to 2018 and boasts a 3.09 ERA over five seasons in Boston.
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If the Red Sox can find a taker for Sale's contract while getting a quality major leaguer and/or prospects in return, that might be a wise move.
