Red Sox will bring back ace Sale

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have exercised their $15 million US option for next season on ace left-hander Chris Sale.

Sale will earn $15 million in the final season of a five-year contract he signed with the Chicago White Sox before the 2013 season that guaranteed $32.5 million, including a 2017 option buyout. He had a $12.5-million salary this season in the first of two option years and will wind up earning $59 million over seven seasons plus award bonuses.

Sale can become a free agent after the 2019 World Series.

In addition, infielder Eduardo Nunez exercised his $5 million US player option rather than become a free agent.

The 2017 AL Cy Young Award runner-up and a seven-time all-star, Sale struck out the side in the ninth inning of World Series Game 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers to close out Boston’s fourth championship in 15 seasons. Boston announced its decision Tuesday, two days after the finale.

The 29-year-old earned his first playoff victory in Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees. Sale went 12-4 with a 2.11 ERA and 237 strikeouts in 27 regular-season starts in his second season in Boston.

He was among the favourites to win the Cy Young this season before shoulder issues during the season’s second half.

Nunez hit .265 with 10 homers and 44 RBIs in 502 plate appearances.

Mariners cut loose Span

SEATTLE — The Mariners have declined their part of outfielder Denard Span’s $12-million US mutual option for next year in favour of a $4-million buyout, making the 34-year-old a free agent.

Span, who exercised his part of the option, was acquired by Seattle last May in a trade with Tampa Bay and became one of the Mariners most consistent hitters. Span hit .272 with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 94 games with the Mariners, often batting in the middle of Seattle’s order. He played 87 of those games in the outfield.