Chris Sale Not on the Market: Braves GM Slams Door on Blockbuster Deal

By Oliver Wiener June 29, 2025 14:05

As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, speculation has swirled around the Atlanta Braves potentially dealing star left-hander Chris Sale amid a disappointing 33-39 start to the season. However, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has unequivocally shut down any talk of trading the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, making it clear that Sale is not on the market.

In a recent interview on 680 The Fan in Atlanta, Anthopoulos stated bluntly, “No, zero [chance]. I’ve seen the speculation. It’s completely ridiculous to me. We are not selling, especially someone that has club control beyond the current year. Will not happen.” He emphasized the seriousness of his stance, adding, “Will. Not. Happen. Bold, italicize it, caps. So much so that I’m trying to make a trade now it’s very hard right now to make a trade in June just to signal to everybody that we will not sell.”

Sale, 36, has been a rock for the Braves’ rotation, boasting a 2.52 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 89.1 innings pitched this season, with 114 strikeouts across 15 starts. Despite the team’s struggles and being 6.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, Atlanta is committed to contending and views Sale as a cornerstone of that effort. His contract includes an $18 million club option for 2026, giving the Braves control over his services beyond this season.

The Braves’ refusal to trade Sale has significant implications for the broader MLB landscape. Several contending teams, including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs, have been rumored to covet Sale’s elite left-handed pitching to bolster their rotations. With Sale effectively off the table, these teams must look elsewhere to address their starting pitching needs.

Anthopoulos acknowledged the challenges ahead but remains confident in the team’s ability to compete. “We are not in a position to sell,” he said, “especially not someone who has club control beyond this season.” He also highlighted the importance of the upcoming weeks, noting the Braves’ schedule includes critical series against the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, teams ahead of them in the division and Wild Card standings. A strong stretch could reinvigorate Atlanta’s postseason hopes.

The Braves are also dealing with injuries to other key starters, including Reynaldo López and AJ Smith-Shawver, which puts additional pressure on Sale and the rest of the rotation. Manager Brian Snitker expressed confidence despite the setbacks: “We’ve lost our best position players, our best pitchers all in the same year. We’ve handled it before and we will again.”

From a roster construction standpoint, keeping Sale allows the Braves to maintain a competitive edge heading into 2026, when they still hold control of his contract. Trading him now would mean sacrificing valuable future pitching and potentially entering a rebuilding phase.

For Sale himself, this decision means continuing to pitch for a team that values him highly despite the current struggles. His performance remains a bright spot, as he has posted a 1.41 ERA over his last 11 outings after a slow start to the season.

In summary, the Atlanta Braves have firmly closed the door on any blockbuster trade involving Chris Sale this offseason. Anthopoulos’s clear message underscores the team’s commitment to contending in 2025 and beyond, with Sale as a foundational piece. While the Braves face an uphill battle in the standings, retaining their ace gives them a fighting chance to turn the season around.