Strasburg's deal at 7 years $245M (AAV $35M) certainly reframes the Chris Sale contract.
Their
career stats are eerily similar, and although Sale has more mileage on his arm, he is slightly younger (9 months). While Sale spent last year scuffling and being injured, Strasburg also has a history of arm issues and we haven't seen him the season after a deep postseason run.
All things considered, the Red Sox blew any excess leverage they would have had with a FA Chris Sale this offseason by signing him before the season in which he underperformed. That said, they also have committed $100M less and $6 Million less per year to a pitcher who is the same age and has similar performance history.