The Boston Red Sox have been one of the most disappointing teams to start the 2026 MLB season.
Right now, they are 4-8 in their first 12 games, which has them at the bottom of the American League East.
On Friday night, the Red Sox will open up a series with the St. Louis Cardinals (in Missouri).
Red Sox Made A Massive Mistake
There are a lot of things that have recently gone wrong for the Red Sox, but it’s worth looking back at a trade they made in 2023.
They sent Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves for little in return.
The Boston Red Sox wrote (via X) on December 30, 2023: “The #RedSox today acquired INF Vaughn Grissom from the Atlanta Braves, in exchange for LHP Chris Sale and cash considerations.”
Sale Following Braves Trade
In his first year playing for Atlanta (2024), Sale made the All-Star Game (and won the Cy Young Award).
He went 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 29 games.
Sale then followed up that season with another All-Star appearance in 2025.
Chad Bishop of AJC wrote (on March 27): “Chris Sale with career strikeout 2,584 to pass Warren Spahn for 30th on MLB’s all-time career strikeout list.
Tom Glavine is 29th with 2,607.”
There are plenty of reasons why Sale could have used a change of scenery in 2023, but it’s safe to say the Braves won the trade in a big way.
@SleeperBraves wrote (on December 30, 2025): “This Day in Braves History 🪓 (Dec 30, 2023): 🔁 Braves get: Chris Sale + $17M 🔁 Red Sox get: Vaughn Grissom
Since then? 🏆 Cy Young 👑 NL Triple Crown 🔙 Comeback Player of the Year ⭐️ 2x All-Star
One of the greatest trade wins ever.”
Vaughn Grissom’s Background
Grissom only appeared in 31 games for the Red Sox (in 2024).
He batted .190 with six RBI’s, ten runs and two stolen bases.
The 25-year-old did not play in the Major Leagues last season.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote (on December 9, 2025): “The Los Angeles Angels are acquiring infielder Vaughn Grissom in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, sources tell ESPN.”
Looking At The Red Sox
The Red Sox are coming off a season where they lost to the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card.
They last won a World Series Championship in 2018 (with Sale).
Following their series with the Cardinals, the Red Sox will visit the Minnesota Twins on April 13.
Boston Red Sox Made Massive Mistake Trading Away 9x MLB All-Star