Report: Chris Sale, Red Sox closing in on extension

The Boston Red Sox confirmed earlier this offseason that they have had conversations with Chris Sale about a contract extension, and the team is reportedly close to a new deal with the left-hander.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Sale and the Red Sox are on the verge of agreeing to an extension.

Source confirms: #RedSox, Sale moving toward an extension. Two sides are close, per @alexspeier.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 22, 2019

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the deal is expected to be worth around $150 million over five years.

Chris Sale’s deal, if completed, is likely to be in the five-year, $150 million range, league sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 22, 2019

Sale is entering the final season of a team-friendly contract he signed with the Chicago White Sox. The Red Sox paid him just $12 million in 2017 and $12.5 million last year, and Sale went 29-12 with a 2.51 ERA during that span. He has been one of the best bargains in baseball for several seasons now, so he will likely get top dollar with his new deal.

While there have been some concerns about Sale’s shoulder, he insists he is healthy heading into 2019. Boston’s willingness to sign him to a new deal reflects that.