Sox Trade Grissom to Angels (12/9/25)

In the annals of time, the Chris Sale for Vaughn Grissom trade will go down as one of the most lopsided in history. After 5 straight disappointing seasons, the Sox sent Sale to the Atlanta Braves for budding infielder Vaughn Grissom. Sale turned his career around to win the NL Cy Young Award in 2024 and looked on his way to a repeat before a broken rib ended his season in 2025. Grissom's career completely evaporated, leading to his trade today to the Los Angeles Angels for 2025 8th round draft pick, 21 year old outfielding prospect Isaiah Jackson.

                                                                                OUT

                                                                        IN

Grissom looked like a budding star with the Atlanta Braves as a 21 year old in 2022 and 2023 despite injuries. He hit .291 with 5 home runs in 41 games in 2022 but injuries derailed him in 2023 despite hitting .280 with 9 rbis in 23 games. In 2024 his career went down the toilet as he battled injuries all season batting just .190 with no home runs. In 2025 he hit 13 home runs and batted .270...for the Worcester Red Sox. The trade of Rafael Devers and the incompetence of Kristian Campbell wasn't enough for Grissom to earn one call up during the 2025 season. With Campbell expected to earn a second chance and Ceddanne Rafaela another possible candidate at second base next season, the guy traded for Chris Sale became expendable. What a waste.

                                    Traded Chris Sale for an above average AAA player

So who did the Sox get in return? Isaiah Jackson was taken in the 8th round of this past MLB draft 9 picks before the Sox took pitcher Dylan Brown. He hit .310 with 18 home runs for Arizona State before getting taken by the Angels and he hit .219 with 1 home run in 32 games with the Tri City Dust Devils. After the Sox traded James "Leroy Jethro" Tibbs to the Dodgers for Dustin May (another wasted trade), the Sox needed more outfield help in the minors. Jackson might be that guy when he makes his 2026 debut with the Salem Ridge Yaks. Still, the Sox essentially traded Chris Sale for 31 games of Vaughn Grissom and an 8th round pick in the 2025 draft. God help us.

                                                    "Jokes on you, Boston" - Chris Sale