One year ago today, Alex Anthopoulos pulled off a trade that could go down as one of the most one-sided deals of his tenure as the Atlanta Braves’ general manager. The trade in question was the one-for-one exchange that sent Vaughn Grissom to Boston and brought future NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale to Atlanta.
Braves land eventual Cy Young winner from Red Sox in exchange for top infield prospect
The 2024 seasons for Chris Sale and Vaughn Grissom couldn’t have been more different. Braves fans witnessed a masterclass from Sale, who delivered one of the best campaigns of his illustrious 14-year career. Dominating the league night after night, the 35-year-old lefty finished with a league-leading 18-3 record, a sparkling 2.38 ERA, and an elite 2.09 FIP. These stats secured Sale the first NL pitching Triple Crown since Clayton Kershaw in 2011.
Sale’s brilliance didn’t go unnoticed, as he earned his first Cy Young Award and was also named the National League Comeback Player of the Year. On the other hand, former Braves prospect Vaughn Grissom endured a rough debut season in Boston. Limited by injuries and inconsistency, Grissom managed just over 100 at-bats, finishing with a dismal .465 OPS.
Grissom’s struggles in 2024 led to frustration among Red Sox fans, who began to question his future with the team. Still only 24 years old, Grissom will enter 2025 looking to bounce back and solidify himself as a key piece of Boston’s long-term plans.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Sale aims to build on his dominant 2024 season and further strengthen his Hall of Fame case. He’ll headline a Braves rotation that also features rising star Spencer Schwellenbach and a healthy Spencer Strider.
Though it’s just one year since the trade, the early results heavily favor Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos. While time will determine how Sale’s career ends and whether Grissom can become a reliable Major League starter, Braves fans have every reason to celebrate how this deal has played out so far.
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