Red Sox close out disastrous Chris Sale trade by dealing Grissom

The Crimson Sox’ decision to deal away an oft-injured Chris Sale in December 2023 continues to look worse and worse. 

Boston acquired only one participant again from the Braves after they shipped out their former ace after the 2023 season, recouping prospect Vaughn Grissom within the swap. 

However, whereas Sale regained his standing as an elite starter in Atlanta, the identical can’t be stated for a projected future stalwart in Boston’s infield in Grissom. 

After two lackluster seasons within the Crimson Sox’ system, Boston traded Grissom to the Los Angeles Angeles on Tuesday in change for outfield prospect Isaiah Jackson. Jackson is the No. 25 prospect in Los Angeles’ farm system, per MLB Pipeline.

Grissom, 24, struggled to search out his footing in Boston, showing in simply 31 whole video games with the Crimson Sox — all in 2024. Throughout that abbreviated stint, Grissom batted simply .190 with no residence runs and 6 RBI. 

Grissom spent the whole 2025 season taking part in for Triple-A Worcester. There, he generated some strong manufacturing by batting .270 with 13 residence runs and 48 RBI throughout 96 video games.

However, Grissom by no means managed to leapfrog different prospects and depth infield choices final summer season, with gamers like Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, David Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, and Nick Sogard all incomes MLB reps over him. 

In the meantime, Sale has been the most effective pitchers within the Nationwide League since Boston moved on from him. 

After showing in simply 31 whole video games over his closing 4 seasons with Boston (2020-23), Sale dominated in 2024 with Atlanta — successful his first Cy Younger Award by main the league in wins (18), ERA (2.38), and strikeouts (225). 

Accidents restricted Sale to 21 video games in 2025, however he nonetheless managed to sport a 7-5 report and a 2.58 ERA over that stretch with the Braves. 

In return for Grissom, the Crimson Sox are buying a uncooked prospect with some pop in Jackson. The 21-year-old outfielder was chosen within the eighth spherical of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Angels out of Arizona State. 

Final season with the Solar Devils, Jackson crushed 18 residence runs in 60 video games earlier than taking part in 10 video games with the Angels’ Single-A affiliate, the Tri-Metropolis Mud Devils. 

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Crimson Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.