One year ago today, Alex Anthopoulos made a trade that could become one of the most lopsided deals of his time as general manager of the Atlanta Braves. The trade sent Vaughn Grissom to Boston in exchange for future NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale.
The 2024 seasons for Chris Sale and Vaughn Grissom couldn’t have been more different. Braves fans watched Sale put together one of the finest seasons of his impressive 14-year career. Dominating the league consistently, the 35-year-old left-hander finished with an outstanding 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, and a stellar 2.09 FIP, leading the league in all three categories. These performances earned him the first NL pitching Triple Crown since Clayton Kershaw in 2011.
Sale’s remarkable season didn’t go unnoticed, as he was awarded his first Cy Young Award and named the National League Comeback Player of the Year. In contrast, Vaughn Grissom had a challenging first season in Boston, hampered by injuries and inconsistency. He managed just over 100 at-bats, posting a poor .465 OPS.
Grissom’s struggles in 2024 led to growing frustration among Red Sox fans, who questioned his future with the team. However, at just 24 years old, Grissom will enter 2025 determined to rebound and prove himself as a key piece of Boston’s long-term plans.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Sale is looking to build on his dominant 2024 season and strengthen his Hall of Fame credentials. He will lead a Braves rotation that also includes rising star Spencer Schwellenbach and a healthy Spencer Strider.
Although it’s only been one year since the trade, the early results clearly favor Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos. While time will tell how Sale’s career unfolds and whether Grissom can become a reliable Major League starter, Braves fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate how this trade has turned out so far.
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