The deal comes just five days after the Braves acquired Sale from the Boston Red Sox via trade. Sale had one year remaining on his previous contract, plus a 2025 option.

Under the new contract, Sale will earn $16 million in 2024 and $22 million in 2025, superseding his previous deal. The extension also includes an $18 million club option for 2026, with no buyout. Previously, Sale's 2024 salary would have been $27.5 million, with $10 million deferred to 2039. However, the new contract eliminates the deferral, but the Braves will still receive $17 million from the Red Sox, covering Sale's entire 2024 salary plus an additional $1 million.

This new deal provides Sale with more guaranteed money over the next two seasons compared to his previous contract, which guaranteed him $27.5 million in 2024 with $10 million deferred. Now, Sale will receive $38 million over two seasons, with the potential for an additional $18 million in 2026.

Sale, a seven-time All-Star, has faced multiple injuries over the past four seasons, including a Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2020 season and part of 2021. Despite these setbacks, his performance in 2023 showed promise, with a 4.30 ERA in 20 starts, including a stellar 3.16 ERA in his last 15 starts.

The acquisition of Sale provides a boost to the Braves' starting rotation, even though he has only made 31 starts in the past four seasons. Throughout his career, Sale has been a consistent performer, finishing in the top five in AL Cy Young voting for six consecutive seasons. He boasts an impressive 2.91 ERA and averages 240 strikeouts, 198 innings, and 30 starts per season over a seven-year stretch.

In terms of the Braves' payroll, Sale's new contract will count as just $2 million in luxury tax purposes for 2024. This is because the Red Sox will be paying $17 million to the Braves for that year as part of the trade agreement. In 2025, Sale's contract will count as $19 million against the Braves' payroll for luxury tax purposes.

The Braves' decision to trade for and extend Sale is a calculated risk, considering his past injury history. However, with the lack of desirable options in the free agent market and high trade demands from other teams, the Braves opted to take a chance on Sale's potential and hope for him to regain his previous form.

As Sale embarks on his journey with the Braves, the question remains: What does he have left in the tank? While he showed promise in 2023, it remains to be seen whether he can maintain consistency and return to his dominant ace status. Despite the uncertainties, the Braves are hopeful that Sale's addition will bolster their rotation and contribute to their postseason aspirations.