Chris Sale's Agent Provides Update on His Health and Red Sox Fans Should Be Pumped
By Michael Luciano
The sharp and sudden decline of the Boston Red Sox was a sight to behold last season for how out of nowhere it was, but the single most shocking component of that collapse was the horrific season put together by Chris Sale.
After struggling with injury and ineffectiveness, the lanky lefty is ready to do some damage in 2020, per an update from his agent.
Chris Sale feels healthy and feels like he has something to prove, according to his agent. More here: https://t.co/n8icenvyFR
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) November 12, 2019
"I think that what we saw of Chris Sale in 2019 was not who he has been and certainly not who he’s going to be going forward," said Sale's agent BB Abbott. "We have a hopeful optimism that he’s going to be healthy, and if he’s healthy, he’s going to perform at that level. Period.”
Sale saw his ERA more than double in 2019, as his sparkling 2.11 mark jumped to 4.40 last year. His strikeout numbers dipped and he allowed 24 home runs, compared to 11 in 2018.
Simply put, for the amount of money Boston started paying him as part of his new contract, that is unacceptable.
2000+ SO and a FIP at/below 2.90 in a given decade:
— Austin J. Eich (@Eich_AJ) November 11, 2019
• 2010s - Clayton Kershaw; Chris Sale
• 2000s - NA
• 1990s - NA
• 1980s - Nolan Ryan
• 1970s - Tom Seaver; Bert Blyleven
• 1960s - Bob Gibson
• 1950s - NA
• 1940s - NA
• 1930s - NA
• 1920s - NA
• 1910s - W. Johnson
The Red Sox rotation could change overnight if Sale gets back to his usual tricks. If the Red Sox bring in a big free agent and Sale starts striking out everyone in sight like he did in 2018, Boston should vault back into the playoffs.