If he's a middle reliever, you're talking about eating at least 90% of his salary, so that's not gonna happen.
But if he's healthy, he's not a middle reliever.
I had a weird feeling when I heard about Sale's extension. I didn't hate it, but I was very uneasy about his health, that's for sure.
Only Dombrowski can ever explain the thinking that went into it.
So your original point that the difference between 165 and 225 is only one hit a week is:
a) an interesting mathematical tidbit
that says nothing about the actual impact on runs, wins and losses
But of course the difference was 48 hits, because there were more at bats.
Are you honestly trying to argue that one hit a week does not make a big difference?
Yes or no.