White Sox, Sale Agree To 5-Year Extension

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 7, 2013 9:20PM

The White Sox secured the future services of one of their young franchise players by signing pitcher Chris Sale to a five-year extension Thursday. The $32.5 million contract pays Sale $850,000 this year, $3.5 million in 2014, $6 million in 2015, $9.15 million in 2016 and $12 million in 2017. The Sox hold club options for 2018 ($12.5 million) and 2019 ($13.5 million) that could bring the total value of the contract to $60 million. If the White Sox don't exercise those options, Sale would be paid $1 million. This is clearly a contract that protects the the Sox after 2017 and pays Sale based on how the team expects him to grow as a pitcher in future years.

Sale had a breakout season last year with the White Sox, posting a 17-8 record, striking out a franchise record 15 batters against Tampa Bay, earning his first All Star Game appearance and finishing sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting. The 6-foot, six-inch sidearm southpaw said to have reported to training camp with an extra 20 pounds of muscle, which he'll need as he faded down the stretch.