BREAKING: Braves, Red Sox Swing Blockbuster Deal For 7-Time All- Star

The Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox have pulled off a massive trade, sending seven-time All-Star Chris Sale to the National League East champions in return for one of the Braves' former top prospects, Vaughn Grissom.

BREAKING: The Atlanta Braves are acquiring seven-time All-Star Chris Sale in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, sources tell ESPN. Well-regarded infield prospect Vaughn Grissom is the return to Boston, which will send money with Sale, who waived his no-trade clause to join Atlanta

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 30, 2023

Sale waived his no-trade clause to accept the deal. 

The 34-year-old actually started 20 games for Boston last season after missing most of the previous three seasons with an assortment of both usual and bizarre injuries. He posted a 4.30 ERA, which is up over a run from his career mark of 3.10, while striking out 11 batters per nine, right around his career average. 

Sale had finished in the top 10 in Cy Young balloting for seven consecutive seasons before signing a five year $145 million deal with the Red Sox that kicked in in 2020, but provided a total of only 11 wins over the last four years. He’ll earn $27.5 million in 2024 while the Braves will have an option at $20 million on 2025.

Grissom came up as a highly touted prospect for the Braves in 2022, but the shortstop has only managed to get into 64 games total across the last two seasons. And while he’s batted .287, the expected power and speed has not really surfaced in the majors as of yet. Still only 22 however, Grissom has a bright future. 

He spent a majority of the 2023 season in AAA after struggling with the big club to start the year. He slashed .330/.419/.501 with a .920 OPS in the minors, with 8 HR, 4 triples, and 36 doubles.

He's expected to get the nod at second base for the Red Sox in 2024.

 Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports