MLB Rumors: Teams Checking In On Red Sox’ 7-time All-Star

Though he's started just 11 games in the past three seasons, teams around the majors are apparently looking to see if they can pry former Cy Young contender Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox.

Teams are checking on Chris Sale’s availability. Red Sox are not looking to trade any of their starters but view rotation as an area of depth and are at least willing to listen, and consider. Sale does have complete no trade clause so he can veto potential deals.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 25, 2022

According to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, "teams are checking on Chris Sale’s availability". He adds that Boston is "at least willing to listen, and consider." Sale does have a full no-trade clause. 

Still owed $55M over the next two seasons, the Red Sox's big $145M contract extension granted Sale in 2019 hasn't quite worked out so well. Due to a wide assortment of injuries, Sale has pitched just 11 times since the extension kicked in in 2020. That's $8.2M per start thus far, and at just five wins, $18M per victory. Not quite what the Red Sox had in mind. 

There's still $55M remaining on the deal, through the 2024 season. 

Sale, 33, underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire shortened 2020 season, and didn't come back until August of 2021, making just nine starts. A fractured rib cage delayed his 2022 debut until July, until he suffered a broken pinky finger after two starts. Then a broken wrist while riding his bike in August shut him down for the season.

It's not a great resume since entering his 30s, but yet, according to Heyman, some teams are willing to look past that, and instead looking back at his seven All-Star selections while in his 20s and a career 3.03 ERA and 11.9 K/9. 

 Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports