Red Sox ace Chris Sale open to negotiating contract extension

The Boston Red Sox and Chris Sale will most certainly be involved in a discussion of a contract extension for the star lefty. I would take a wait and see position regarding his shoulder.

Reports have surfaced that lefty Chris Sale is amicable to discussing a contract extension with the Boston Red Sox. The issue then reverts to the Red Sox being amicable to entering into such a discussion. Undoubtedly they most certainly will be since this is a potential pre-emptive fiscal strike by removing the fearsome Sale from the post-2019 free agent roster. I’d pass, but I would listen.

Pitching is the single most significant ingredient in building a successful team. Baseball history is littered with teams that exhibited poor offense and stellar pitching and won. Just the opposite is as rare as President Trump not having an inflammatory Tweet. And Sale? Despite a tender left shoulder, Sale exhibited enough in the playoffs to give some degree of comfort that his arm is or will be in pristine condition for 2019. I have my doubts.

More from BoSox Injection

• Bizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departure
• Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
• Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
• Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure
• Why Red Sox fans should be rooting for Carlos Correa’s Mets deal to go through

Sale’s velocity was down in the postseason and that may raise issues of concern, but more will be noted once spring training and the regular season begins another long trek to a championship. The Red Sox proved they could win without Sale at least for the short-term, but oh that shoulder!

Long-term contracts for pitching is like navigating a minefield without a mine detector. You can get through and survive, but in most instances, you will be chum. And Sale most certainly will demand a long-term deal. My guess-o-meter says a minimum of five years but in all likelihood one that exceeds that and is in the David Price range.

With Price, it was a deal that had to be made since Red Sox Nation had a “promise” – either direct or indirect – that an ace would be delivered by management and it was. The only thing better was two and that meant getting Sale from the Chicago White Sox. The Price deal is one where performance has not matched the money tossed to the sudden fan favorite Price. I have it in my gamble mentality that any Sale deal will have similar consequences.

If I am wrong and Sale is outstanding for 2019, the Red Sox have a missed opportunity, especially if Sale wanders off the reservation and becomes Randy Johnson for his contract years. Or Sale could become Pedro Martinez and plug-in one good year and then crash with an arm that turns into stringy tissue. Or Sale could become Barry Zito and be an expensive – extraordinarily expensive – fifth starter.

This is where a GM or president of baseball operations puts it all on the line – their future and conceivably that of their team. The longer limbo exists on a Sale extension the more information is available to make the wise decision and that applies to both parties. A Sale that is simply unhittable, the price tag in money and years accelerates like a Porsche on steroids. And just the opposite if the shoulder acts up or Sale is no longer Sandy Koufax redux, but maybe Bruce Hurst – good, very good, but not great.

I would wait and see – a dreadful game of fiscal Russian Roulette – but with a plethora of free agents looming on the horizon, would that I would judiciously follow. This becomes a situation where a GM’s status becomes either a saint or sinner. I would pass on a Sale renegotiation until I see how the goods look.