I don't remember any Crucifixion as the "push back" did not take away a start from Sale at the end of the season.
To me, the question should be about how to treat Sale next season:
Less starts?
Less pitches per start?
Same as this year?
Building up the pen might help with this choice. Lots of innings by Price, Pom and Porcello could be crucial but is hard to project.
Here's the game thread from the game Kimmi is referring to - scroll through a bit and you'll see there was a lot of complaining about Fister starting instead of Sale. I was one of the ones complaining.
http://www.talksox.com/forum/threads...0-vs-Blue-Jays
I think it makes sense to have Sale pitch fewer innings next year, both by pushing some starts back and by taking him out of the game earlier if the game is well in hand. Being able to do that does require some help from the other starters being able to go deeper into games and from the bullpen being able to keep the lead intact.
The FO has been discussing the matter, so I'm sure we will see better management of Sale's innings.
I can buy someone thinking whatever Slasher about JF.. I get that but I sure wish that our team was stuffed to the brim with guys who approach the game like Chris Sale does. We need more not fewer guys like him. They shut their mouths and do things the right way. I didn't really enjoy this team much after the Pedroia/Price garbage - not two of my favorites by the way. Guys like Sale although we don't have many of them kept me interested.
The only real difference is one more year of data.
I'll say this, it might not be possible to cut his innings back much next year either...it'll all depend on the circumstances.
Did you look at that game thread from July when Farrell started Fister over Sale? It's amusing in light of this discussion.