Of the Red Sox storylines coming into spring training, Chris Sale's contract is at the top of the list.
That's why when the Red Sox' ace sat down with the Mut & Callahan Show at JetBlue Park Thursday morning talk turned to Sale's approach regarding a new deal.
"I’ve got one thing to worry about. I’m a pitcher. I’m going to go out there and pitch and do everything I can to make myself better and make my team better," said the 29-year-old who is in the final year of his current contract. "I just don’t have time to worry about it, and I’ve never had time to worry about it. I’ve never thought about this or that, contracts extensions or free agency. I’ve always just gone out and pitched. … I’ve never had to worry about it so I’m going to keep on not worrying about it."
When asked about how a new contract might change his life, Sale quipped, "It’s not about buying anything, it’s about playing for championships."
Of particular note was Sale's motivations when it came to agreeing to a deal, admitting that setting a precedent for future free agents has to be factored into the equation≥
"I would say first and foremost I have to worry about what is going on here. Moreso with myself with contract situations. Yeah, you also want to set a tone," he said. "You want to do right by the guys who are coming next year, two years, 10 years down the road because you kind of set the bar and the next guy who comes along they either gets to that bar or sets it a little more. That’s kind of the brotherhood of being a Major League Baseball player. That being said you want to go to a team that is going to contend. You want to go to a team that you can trust. And you want to play for championships. Check, check, check from where I’m sitting right now."
To listen to the entire interview, click here.
Related
