.png){kind=small}
MLB
Chris Sale
Chris Sale
Atlanta Braves, Starting Pitcher
Age: 36y-11m-6d (Mar 30, 1989)
Exp: 15.061 Years
Country: US
College: Florida Gulf Coast
Drafted: Round 1 (#13 overall), 2010
Agent(s): Wasserman
2026 Payroll Salary
$18,000,000
2026 Cash
$18,000,000
Career Earnings
$176,795,275
2027-2028 Extension (UPCOMING EXTENSION)
Chris Sale signed a 1 year, $27,000,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $27,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $27,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $27,000,000
Average Salary:
$27,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2029 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
15.061
| Year | Age | YOS | Status | PayrollAnnual | Luxury Tax | Tax % League Tax | Cash Annual | Cash Cumulative | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 |
|
38 | 15.061 | $27,000,000 | $27,000,000 | 10.93% | $27,000,000 | $27,000,000 | |
| 2028 |
|
39 | 15.061 |
Club
|
$30,000,000 | $27,000,000 | - | - | $27,000,000 |
| 2029 |
|
40 | - |
UFA |
| Year | Age | Service | Status | Base Salary | Incentives Likely | Incentives Unlikely | Payroll Salary | Luxury Tax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 |
|
38 | - | $27,000,000 | - | - | $27,000,000 | $27,000,000 | |
| 2028 |
|
39 | - |
Club
|
$30,000,000 | - | - | $30,000,000 | $27,000,000 |
| 2029 |
|
40 | -- |
UFA |
| Year | Age | Status | Base Salary | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative | Cash Remaining | AYC Cumulative | AYC Remaining | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 |
|
38 | $27,000,000 | $27,000,000 | $27,000,000 | $27,000,000 | $27,000,000 | $13,500,000 | |
| 2028 |
|
39 |
Club |
- | - | $27,000,000 | - | - | - |
Source:
MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.
2024-2026 Extension (CURRENT)
Chris Sale signed a 2 year, $38,000,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $38,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $19,000,000. In 2026, Sale will earn a base salary of $18,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $18,000,000.
Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $38,000,000
Average Salary:
$19,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
13.061
| Year | Age | YOS | Status | PayrollAnnual | Luxury Tax | Tax % League Tax | Cash Annual | Cash Cumulative | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
|
35 | 13.061 | - | $3,000,000 | 1.27% | $1,100,000 | $1,100,000 | |
| 2025 |
|
36 | 14.061 | $22,000,000 | $19,000,000 | 7.88% | $22,000,000 | $23,100,000 | |
| 2026 |
|
37 | 15.061 |
Club
|
$18,000,000 | $18,000,000 | 7.38% | $18,000,000 | $41,100,000 |
| Year | Age | Service | Status | Base Salary | Incentives Likely | Incentives Unlikely | Trade Bonus | Payroll Salary | Luxury Tax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
|
35 | 13.061 | $16,000,000 | $1,100,000 | - | $1,000,000 | - | $3,000,000 | |
| 2025 |
|
36 | 14.061 | $22,000,000 | - | - | - | $22,000,000 | $19,000,000 | |
| 2026 |
|
37 | 15.061 |
Club
|
$18,000,000 | - | - | - | $18,000,000 | $18,000,000 |
| Year | Age | Status | Base Salary | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative | Cash Remaining | AYC Cumulative | AYC Remaining | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
|
35 | - | $1,100,000 | $1,100,000 | $41,100,000 | $1,100,000 | $13,700,000 | |
| 2025 |
|
36 | $22,000,000 | $22,000,000 | $23,100,000 | $40,000,000 | $11,550,000 | $20,000,000 | |
| 2026 |
|
37 |
Club |
$18,000,000 | $18,000,000 | $41,100,000 | $18,000,000 | $13,700,000 | $18,000,000 |
Contract Notes
- 2026 Club Option includes no buyout
- Boston retains $17M of salary per the 12/23 trade
- 2024 Trade Assignment Bonus: $1M (to be paid by Atlanta)
- Award Bonuses: $100k - 2024 Cy Young
Source:
MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.
2020-2025 Extension
Contract Terms:
5 yr(s) / $145,000,000
Average Salary:
$29,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
8.061
To see the rest of the Chris Sale's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here
2013-2013 Pre-Arbitration
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $600,000
Average Salary:
$600,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
2.061
To see the rest of the Chris Sale's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here
2013-2019 Pre-Arbitration Extension
Contract Terms:
5 yr(s) / $32,500,000
Average Salary:
$6,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
2.061
To see the rest of the Chris Sale's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here
2012-2012 Pre-Arbitration
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $500,000
Average Salary:
$500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
1.061
To see the rest of the Chris Sale's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here
2011-2011 Pre-Arbitration
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $425,000
Average Salary:
$425,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0.061
To see the rest of the Chris Sale's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here
2010-2010 Signing Bonus
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,656,000
Average Salary:
$1,656,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0
To see the rest of the Chris Sale's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here
2010-2010 Pre-Arbitration
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $400,000
Average Salary:
$400,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0
To see the rest of the Chris Sale's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here
Seasons
15.061 Years
Career Earnings thru 2026
$176,795,275
Earnings w/ Different Teams
3 teams
Earnings Per Year
| Year | Age | Team(s) | Service | Status | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 21 |
|
- |
Signing Bonus
Active
|
$1,656,000 $131,868 |
$1,656,000 $1,787,868 |
|
| 2011 | 22 |
|
0.061 |
Active
|
$425,000 |
$2,212,868 |
|
| 2012 | 23 |
|
1.061 |
Active
|
$500,000 |
$2,712,868 |
|
| 2013 | 24 |
|
2.061 |
Active / Pre-Arbitration Bypassed
|
$865,000 |
$3,577,868 |
|
| 2014 | 25 |
|
3.061 |
Active / Arbitration 1 Bypassed
|
$3,515,000 |
$7,092,868 |
|
| 2015 | 26 |
|
4.061 |
Active / Arbitration 2 Bypassed
|
$6,015,000 |
$13,107,868 |
|
| 2016 | 27 |
|
5.061 |
Active / Arbitration 3 Bypassed
|
$9,165,000 |
$22,272,868 |
|
| 2017 | 28 |
|
6.061 |
Active
|
$12,000,000 |
$34,272,868 |
|
| 2018 | 29 |
|
7.061 |
Active / Club Exercised
|
$12,515,000 |
$46,787,868 |
Champion |
| 2019 | 30 |
|
8.061 |
Injured / Club Exercised
|
$15,000,000 |
$61,787,868 |
|
| 2020 | 31 |
|
9.061 |
Injured
|
$7,407,407 |
$69,195,275 |
|
| 2021 | 32 |
|
10.061 |
Active
|
$20,000,000 |
$89,195,275 |
|
| 2022 | 33 |
|
11.061 |
Injured
|
$20,000,000 |
$109,195,275 |
|
| 2023 | 34 |
|
12.061 |
Active / early-termination-declined
|
$27,500,000 |
$136,695,275 |
|
| 2024 | 35 |
|
13.061 |
Active
Retained
|
$1,100,000 $17,000,000 |
$137,795,275 $154,795,275 |
NL Gold Glove:P All MLB (1st) NL Cy Young |
| 2025 | 36 |
|
14.061 |
Active
|
$22,000,000 |
$176,795,275 |
|
| Total |
$176,795,275 |
$176,795,275 |
|||||
| 2026 | 37 |
|
15.061 |
Active / Club Exercised
|
$18,000,000 |
||
| 2027 | 38 |
|
15.061 |
Active
|
$27,000,000 |
||
| 2035 | 46 |
|
15.061 |
Deferred
|
$10,000,000 |
||
| 2036 | 47 |
|
15.061 |
Deferred
|
$10,000,000 |
||
| 2037 | 48 |
|
15.061 |
Deferred
|
$10,000,000 |
||
| 2038 | 49 |
|
15.061 |
Deferred
|
$10,000,000 |
||
| Total |
$261,795,275 |
Earnings Per Team
| Years | Team | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 |
|
$20,556,868 | $1,656,000 | $60,000 | $22,272,868 |
| 8 |
|
$131,407,407 | - | $15,000 | $131,422,407 |
| 2 |
|
$22,000,000 | - | $1,100,000 | $23,100,000 |
| Year | Team(s) | Age | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 |
|
21 |
$131,868
|
$1,656,000 |
$1,656,000 $131,868 |
$1,656,000 $1,787,868 |
|
| 2011 |
|
22 |
$425,000
|
$425,000 |
$2,212,868 |
||
| 2012 |
|
23 |
$500,000
|
$500,000 |
$2,712,868 |
||
| 2013 |
|
24 |
$850,000
|
$15,000 |
$865,000 |
$3,577,868 |
|
| 2014 |
|
25 |
$3,500,000
|
$15,000 |
$3,515,000 |
$7,092,868 |
|
| 2015 |
|
26 |
$6,000,000
|
$15,000 |
$6,015,000 |
$13,107,868 |
|
| 2016 |
|
27 |
$9,150,000
|
$15,000 |
$9,165,000 |
$22,272,868 |
|
| 2017 |
|
28 |
$12,000,000
|
$12,000,000 |
$34,272,868 |
||
| 2018 |
|
29 |
$12,500,000
|
$15,000 |
$12,515,000 |
$46,787,868 |
|
| 2019 |
|
30 |
$15,000,000
|
$15,000,000 |
$61,787,868 |
||
| 2020 |
|
31 |
$7,407,407
|
$7,407,407 |
$69,195,275 |
||
| 2021 |
|
32 |
$20,000,000
|
$20,000,000 |
$89,195,275 |
||
| 2022 |
|
33 |
$20,000,000
|
$20,000,000 |
$109,195,275 |
||
| 2023 |
|
34 |
$27,500,000
|
$27,500,000 |
$136,695,275 |
||
| 2024 |
|
35 |
$17,000,000
|
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 $17,000,000 |
$137,795,275 $154,795,275 |
|
| 2025 |
|
36 |
$22,000,000
|
$22,000,000 |
$176,795,275 |
||
| Total |
$173,964,275 |
$1,656,000 |
$1,175,000 |
$176,795,275 |
$176,795,275 |
||
| 2026 |
|
37 |
$18,000,000
|
$18,000,000 |
|||
| 2027 |
|
38 |
$27,000,000
|
$27,000,000 |
|||
| 2035 |
|
46 |
$10,000,000
|
$10,000,000 |
|||
| 2036 |
|
47 |
$10,000,000
|
$10,000,000 |
|||
| 2037 |
|
48 |
$10,000,000
|
$10,000,000 |
|||
| 2038 |
|
49 |
$10,000,000
|
$10,000,000 |
|||
| Total |
$258,964,275 |
$1,656,000 |
$1,175,000 |
$261,795,275 |
Earnings Per Team
| Years | Team | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 |
|
$20,556,868 | $1,656,000 | $60,000 | $22,272,868 |
| 8 |
|
$131,407,407 | - | $15,000 | $131,422,407 |
| 2 |
|
$22,000,000 | - | $1,100,000 | $23,100,000 |
Injuries
| Year | Dates | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
ATL |
Jun 19, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025 | Ribs |
| 2023 |
BOS |
Jun 09, 2023 - Aug 11, 2023 | Shoulder |
| 2022 |
BOS |
Jul 19, 2022 - Oct 05, 2022 | Finger |
| 2022 |
BOS |
Apr 04, 2022 - Jul 12, 2022 | Ribs |
| 2021 |
BOS |
Sep 10, 2021 - Sep 17, 2021 | COVID-19 |
| 2021 |
BOS |
Apr 01, 2021 - Aug 14, 2021 | Elbow (Tommy John) |
| 2020 |
BOS |
Jul 24, 2020 - Sep 27, 2020 | Elbow (Tommy John) |
| 2019 |
BOS |
Aug 17, 2019 - Sep 29, 2019 | Elbow |
| 2018 |
BOS |
Aug 18, 2018 - Sep 11, 2018 | Shoulder |
| 2018 |
BOS |
Jul 31, 2018 - Aug 12, 2018 | Shoulder |
| 2015 |
CHW |
Mar 27, 2015 - Apr 12, 2015 | Foot |
-
Feb 24, 2026
Signed a 1 year $27 million contract extension with Atlanta (ATL)
-
Nov 05, 2025
Atlanta (ATL) exercised an $18 million club option for 2026
-
Jan 04, 2024
Signed a 2 year $38 million contract extension with Atlanta (ATL)
-
Dec 30, 2023
Traded to Atlanta (ATL) from Boston (BOS) with cash considerations for Vaughn Grissom
-
Nov 01, 2022
Exercised a 2 year, $55M player option for 2023-2024 with Boston (BOS)
-
Mar 22, 2019
Signed a 5 year $145 million contract extension with Boston (BOS)
-
Oct 30, 2018
Boston (BOS) exercised a $15M club option for 2019
-
Nov 02, 2017
Boston (BOS) exercised a $12.5M club option for 2018
-
Dec 06, 2016
Traded to Boston (BOS) from Chicago (CHW) for Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Luis Alexander Basabe and Victor Diaz
-
Jul 24, 2016
Suspended 5 days for violating team policy (cutting up jerseys) with Chicago (CHW)
-
Apr 25, 2015
Suspended 5 games for his role in a brawl against Kansas City (KC), forfeiting $163,934 in 2015 salary with Chicago (CWS)
-
Mar 07, 2013
Signed a 5 year $32.5 million extension with Chicago (CWS)
-
Mar 04, 2012
Signed a 1 year $500k contract with Chicago (CWS)
-
Feb 27, 2011
Signed a 1 year $425k contact with Chicago (CWS)
-
Aug 04, 2010
Contract purchased by Chicago (CHW)
-
Jun 22, 2010
Signed a contract with Chicago (CHW)
-
Jun 07, 2010
Drafted by Chicago (CWS): Round 1 (#13 overall)
Suspensions
| Date | Reason | Games Suspended | Fine Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2016 |
|
Conduct detrimental to the team | 5 | - |
| Apr 25, 2015 |
|
Role in a brawl against Kansas City (KC) | 5 | - |
| Suspensions: 2 | $0 |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | W | L | SV | IP | ERA | WHIP | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ATL | 21 | 20 | 102 | 38 | 36 | 32 | 165 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 125.7 | 2.58 | 1.07 | 3.76 |
| 2024 | ATL | 29 | 29 | 141 | 48 | 47 | 39 | 225 | 9 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 177.7 | 2.38 | 1.01 | 6.18 |
| 2023 | BOS | 20 | 20 | 87 | 52 | 49 | 29 | 125 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 102.7 | 4.30 | 1.13 | 1.65 |
| 2022 | BOS | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5.7 | 3.18 | 1.06 | 0.01 |
| 2021 | BOS | 9 | 9 | 45 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 52 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 42.7 | 3.16 | 1.34 | 0.93 |
| 2019 | BOS | 25 | 25 | 123 | 80 | 72 | 37 | 218 | 24 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 147.3 | 4.40 | 1.09 | 2.12 |
| 2018 | BOS | 27 | 27 | 102 | 39 | 37 | 34 | 237 | 11 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 158.0 | 2.11 | 0.86 | 6.46 |
| 2017 | BOS | 32 | 32 | 165 | 73 | 69 | 43 | 308 | 24 | 17 | 8 | 0 | 214.3 | 2.90 | 0.97 | 5.85 |
| 2016 | CHW | 32 | 32 | 191 | 88 | 85 | 45 | 233 | 27 | 17 | 10 | 0 | 226.7 | 3.38 | 1.04 | 4.96 |
| 2015 | CHW | 31 | 31 | 186 | 88 | 79 | 42 | 274 | 23 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 208.7 | 3.41 | 1.09 | 3.38 |
| 2014 | CHW | 26 | 26 | 129 | 48 | 42 | 39 | 208 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 174.0 | 2.17 | 0.97 | 6.12 |
| 2013 | CHW | 30 | 30 | 184 | 81 | 73 | 46 | 226 | 23 | 11 | 14 | 0 | 214.3 | 3.07 | 1.07 | 6.53 |
| 2012 | CHW | 30 | 29 | 167 | 66 | 65 | 51 | 192 | 19 | 17 | 8 | 0 | 192.0 | 3.05 | 1.14 | 5.67 |
| 2011 | CHW | 58 | 0 | 52 | 22 | 22 | 27 | 79 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 71.0 | 2.79 | 1.11 | 2.36 |
Calculated Market Value
Market Value
- 2 years, $42,208,124
- Avg. Salary: $21,104,062
- MLB Rank: 68
- SP Rank: 29
Current Contract
- Free Agent: 2029
- Avg. Salary: $27,000,000
- MLB Rank: 80
- SP Rank: 33
Comparable Players
We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Chris Sale to.
| Player | Length | Value | Avg. Salary | Age When Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yu Darvish | 6 | $108,000,000 | $18,000,000 | 36 |
| Max Scherzer | 1 | $15,500,000 | $15,500,000 | 40 |
| Alex Cobb | 1 | $15,000,000 | $15,000,000 | 37 |
| Seth Lugo | 2 | $46,000,000 | $23,000,000 | 35 |
| Averages | 3 | $46,125,000 | $17,875,000 | 37.0 |
Base Calculated Value
After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Sale's current age (36), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.
| Length | Value | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | $67,787,880 | $16,946,970 |
Statistical Comparisons
Now we'll compare our variables and Sale statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GS/Yr, IP, K/9, BB/9, ERA, WHIP, FIP, WAR
| Player | GS/Yr | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | ERA | WHIP | FIP | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yu Darvish
2021-2022
|
30.00 | 6.02 | 9.94 | 2.04 | 3.66 | 1.02 | 3.60 | 3.39 |
|
Max Scherzer
2023-2024
|
18.00 | 5.44 | 9.28 | 2.37 | 3.86 | 1.14 | 4.25 | 3.45 |
|
Alex Cobb
2023-2024
|
15.50 | 5.41 | 6.65 | 1.92 | 3.32 | 1.18 | 3.65 | 3.05 |
|
Seth Lugo
2024-2025
|
29.50 | 5.97 | 7.81 | 2.75 | 3.58 | 1.19 | 4.17 | 4.09 |
| Average | 23.25 | 5.71 | 8.42 | 2.27 | 3.61 | 1.13 | 3.92 | 3.50 |
|
Chris Sale
2024-2025
|
24.50 | 6.07 | 11.55 | 2.12 | 2.51 | 1.04 | 2.42 | 7.23 |
| Pct Change | 5.38 | 6.30 | 37.17 | 6.61 | 30.47 | 7.96 | 38.27 | 106.57 |
| Median Prime % Change | 19.22% | |||||||
| Average Prime % Change | 29.84% | |||||||
Calculated Market Value: Chris Sale
After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.
| Terms | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| 2 years, $42,208,124 | $21,104,062 |
