NEWS NOW: Padres Sign Former NL West Rival Pitcher in Free Agency
In a surprising move that sent shockwaves through the baseball world, the San Diego Padres have signed former NL West rival pitcher, Chris Sale, to a two-year deal worth $40 million. The signing is seen as a bold strategy by the Padres’ front office, looking to bolster their starting rotation with an experienced ace ahead of the 2025 season.
Sale, 35, has spent the last several seasons with the Boston Red Sox, where he earned a reputation as one of the league’s top left-handed pitchers. However, injuries have plagued Sale in recent years, limiting him to just 12 starts in 2024 and a total of 25 starts over the last two seasons. Despite these setbacks, Sale’s career numbers still speak for themselves. With a career ERA of 3.03 and over 2,000 strikeouts, the veteran left-hander is widely regarded as one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation when healthy.
Padres General Manager A.J. Preller was quick to emphasize the team’s confidence in Sale’s ability to return to form. “Chris is a proven ace with a track record of success at the highest level. We’ve been following him closely, and after an extensive evaluation, we believe he has plenty of gas left in the tank. His competitiveness, leadership, and experience in the postseason are exactly what we need to complement our rotation.”
For Sale, the move to San Diego marks a change of scenery after nearly a decade with the Red Sox, including a key role in their 2018 World Series Championship. The signing also reunites Sale with Padres’ manager Bob Melvin, who managed him briefly when Melvin was the Oakland Athletics’ skipper earlier in Sale’s career. The chance to work with Melvin again was a major factor in Sale’s decision to sign with the Padres.
“I’m excited for this new chapter,” Sale said in a statement following the announcement. “The Padres are a great organization, and I’m looking forward to helping bring a championship to San Diego. Bob Melvin is a manager I’ve always respected, and I’m looking forward to getting to work with him and the rest of the team.”
The Padres’ pitching staff was already one of the most formidable in the league, with 2024 Cy Young winner Blake Snell anchoring the rotation and young stars like Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish providing solid support. Adding Sale gives the team a potential front-of-the-rotation weapon who, when healthy, could complement their existing core and add depth to an already stacked starting staff.
While the Padres have made a number of big splashes in recent years, including acquiring superstar Manny Machado and trading for top talent like Juan Soto, the signing of Sale is a clear signal that the team is pushing all-in on a championship run in 2025. Sale’s addition to the rotation not only strengthens the Padres’ pitching depth but also gives them another high-caliber option for postseason play, where Sale’s experience could be invaluable.
However, the health of Sale remains a key concern. With his injury history, including Tommy John surgery in 2021 and shoulder issues in 2024, many analysts are questioning whether the Padres are taking a risk by banking on Sale’s recovery. Preller was adamant that the Padres have thoroughly assessed Sale’s medicals and feel confident in his ability to contribute.
“We’ve done our homework,” Preller added. “We’re optimistic that Chris can stay healthy and return to the level of performance he’s known for. His competitive drive and ability to rise to the occasion in big moments are qualities that make him an excellent fit for this team.”
For Padres fans, the signing of Sale is a thrilling development. The team has been knocking on the door of a World Series title in recent seasons, and adding an experienced pitcher like Sale to their already talented roster only fuels their championship aspirations for 2025.
As the Padres prepare for spring training, the hope is that Sale can stay healthy and be the difference-maker that propels them to their first World Series title. With Sale now donning the Padres’ colors, the 2025 season just got a lot more exciting in San Diego.
