White Sox, Chris Sale agree to 5-year, $32.5M extension

Chris Sale was 17-8 in his first season as a White Sox starter. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The White Sox and left-handed pitcher Chris Sale have agreed in principle on a five-year contract $32.5 extension, according to the team.

Sale will be paid $850,000 in 2013, $3.5 million in 2014, $6.0 million in 2015, $9.15 million in 2016 and $12 million in 2017. The White Sox hold options for 2018 at $12.5 million and for 2019 at $13.5 million.  If either option is declined, Sale will receive a $1.0-million buyout.

Sale, 23, was 17-8 and a 2012 All-Star with a 3.05 ERA in his first year as a starting pitcher. He finished sixth in Cy Young voting. He temporarily became the White Sox's closer in May to protect a tender elbow. He was contracted to make $600,000 in 2013 before the extension.

He said Thursday morning he was trying to stay focused on pitching.

"I just try not to concentrate on any of the external things going on," Sale said. "It is just like leaving your wife and family home sick and you try not to bring that to the field with you. So I will just go about my business and everything will kind of work itself out. "I just try not to look too deep into it," he said. "I will not take it for granted and just do the things I need to do. Like I said, it will work itself out. Something on your mind is the appreciation factor that they have shown. I hope they feel the same way for me as well."