Here's another way to look at it.
In 2023, in spite of his injury issues, Sale was one of our best starters.
He was #4 in IP, only 3.1 IP behind #3 Houck.
He was #1 in FIP, #2 in WHIP, #1 in K/BB.
#2 in fWAR, #4 in bWAR.
Even in an injury-shortened season, he was one of the best we had.
If you want to say that's only because our rotation wasn't very good, well, that's part of the point.