I didn’t think he’d win 10 games in 2024.
Also, Vaughn Grissom might actually stink.
That might be a topic for another day.
So, where does his fantastic 2024 season leave him from a Hall Of Fame perspective?
He’s not there yet.
Sale currently only has 138 career wins.
But I think he’s really close.
Sale is currently 49th all-time in strikeouts with 2,414.
If he can get to 3,000 in his career, he joins some pretty great company.
Sabathia is in this group and I think he gets in first ballot in January.
To be fair, he also has 113 more wins than Sale does currently.
It’s a pretty remarkable comeback for Sale.
But is he OK?
He is still the same guy who went 17-18 with a 4.16 from 2019-23.
That’s not just a blip.
It’s five fucking years.
However, he was so good last year, it’s impossible to bet against him with any certainty.
I don’t see him getting to 200 wins with any confidence.
But can he get to 180?
Is that enough in this modern era?
He got 3.9% of the ballot in his first year and was never considered again.
I do think times have changed though and it’s almost like 250 wins is the new 300.
He’s a lock.
So isJustin Verlander(262 and counting).
He didn’t make a formal announcement.
He also didn’t pitch last year.
it’s possible for you to also make a case forCraig KimbelandKenley Jansen.
Both have bizarrely similar career stats yet took very different paths to get there.
After that, it does get a little trickier.
Bryce Harperis clearly close to a lock as well.
But that’s extreme and Harper will certainly get in.
Let’s just get to 2,000 hits before we order the plaque.
Freddie Freeman, Jose Altuve, Manny MachadoandMookie Bettsare all in barring disaster too.
Honestly, Freeman and Altuve might already be in.
IfGiancarlo Stantoncan get to 500 home runs, he’s in too.
He’s at 429.
I’d guess 65/35 he gets in?
So, does Chris Sale belong in this list?
I think he does.
Like most of these guys, he’s not there yet.
But can he deliver either another top shelf 2024 season?
Or even two solid but not great years?
Can he get those 600 strikeouts and get to 3,000?
