The Atlanta Braves have pulled starting pitcher Chris Sale off the trade block.
The Braves are struggling and are expected to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline. One of the names that has been rumoured as a potential trade is Sale, but Major League Baseball insider Robert Murray says Atlanta is pulling Sale off the trade block and has no intention to trade him.
“While almost every contending team is searching for starting pitching at the trade deadline, one name that can be crossed off the list is Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale,” Murray wrote. “Atlanta has not discussed Sale in trade talks and will not consider moving the left-hander or any other player under control beyond 2025, according to major-league sources.”
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Murray points to the fact that Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris, and Jurickson Profar are all under contract in 2026. Meanwhile, next season, the rotation will feature Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Strider, and Spencer Schwellenbach in 2026, so Atlanta is hoping to be competitive next season, as a reason not to trade Sale.
Sale has a club option for $18 million next season, which would conclude his two-year, $38 million deal. The left-hander is 5-4 with a 2.52 ERA in 15 starts. Sale is a nine-time MLB All-Star, an NL Cy Young Award winner, and a World Series champion.
With Sale unlikely to be traded, the Braves’ trade chips ahead of the deadline are the likes of Marcell Ozuna, Albies, and Sean Murphy.
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