Leave it to the social media Braves fans who severely overrate Vaughn Grissom while comparing Sale to 2020 Cole Hamels.
It’s not completely outlandish to compare Sale to Hamels because the realistic worse case scenario for Sale is that he throws a total of 0 innings for the Braves. He is a walking injury list, and it’s wise to acknowledge that possibility.
However, this is virtually the same scenario as Glasnow to the dodgers. Nobody is counting on Sale for 150 innings, just like nobody is counting on Glasnow for any bulk innings. Sale and Glasnow are on the best teams in the sport for one reason, and one reason only: to strike out 10+ batters in 2-3 games in October. Nothing more. That is what WS favorites are looking for, and that’s what they got.
Was that worth Grissom? I suspect Braves fans overrate him considering he is nothing more than a light hitting 2B with nowhere to play on this roster, but again, Sale not being acquired for his 2024 WAR…is he being acquired for 2-3 starts in October, and those games are worth much more than bulk regular season innings for true WS contenders like the Braves.
Sale, Kelenic and Lopez for Grissom and spare parts makes this a good offseason for AA. It’s a solid B+ now that can become an A- with the acquisition of a legit RHH 4th OFer.