The Chicago White Sox have reached an agreement with left-hander Chris Sale on a five year contract extension worth $32.5 million. The deal includes two option years that could push the value of the contract up to $60 million. Sale is guaranteed to receive $32.5 million over the first five years. The team holds options for 2018 at $12.5 million after 2019 at $13.5 million.
Sale was an All-Star in 2012 and posted it 17-8 record with a 3.05 ERA over 192 innings of work. “I just try not to concentrate on any of the external things going on,” Sale said. “It is just like leaving your wife and family home sick and you try not to bring that to the field with you. So I will just go about my business and everything will kind of work itself out.”
Earlier this week it was reported that the White Sox and Sale were engaged in contract extension talks. The deal essentially buys out the first three seasons of free agent eligibility for Sale, who will now enter the free-agent market at 28, 29, or 30. Sale had never thrown more than 71 innings in any one season prior to 2012.
