Braves GM shuts down Chris Sale trade rumors: ‘Will not happen’
"Once you make definitive statements and go back on them, you're a liar and you're done. So, will not happen. Bold, italicize it, caps."
It appears as though Chris Sale will be staying in Atlanta, according to comments from Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopolous during a recent radio interview on 680 The Fan.
Sale’s name has been floated in trade rumors recently. Jon Heyman of the New York post said that the Chicago Cubs would dream of trading for Sale. He also noted on a separate occasion that the 2024 Cy Young award winner could bring in a “haul”, but his team-friendly contract would make the Braves unlikely to trade him.
Sale is under contract for this season, and has an $18 million club option for 2026.
“No. Zero,” Anthopolous said of the chances Sale would be traded. “I’ve seen the speculation and it’s completely ridiculous to me. We are not selling, especially someone that has club control beyond the current year.”
“Will not happen. I never make definitely statements unless I’m going to stick to them. Once you make definitive statements and go back on them, you’re a liar and you’re done. So, will not happen. Bold, italicize it, caps.”
The Braves are 11 games back of first place in the NL East. They’re third in the division. They snapped a seven-game losing streak earlier this month and have won five of their last six games.
The early struggles have sparked rumors that the Braves could be sellers during next month trade deadline if things to turn around. Anthopoulos said he’s trying to put together a trade that will show fans that the team isn’t planning on punting on the season.
“You get to July, things are completely changed, I guess you would re-evaluate. It would have to be extreme,” Anthopoulos said. “We’re built to win, our expectations are to win and our expectations are to go forward the entire time.”
Sale is 5-4 this season with a 2.52 ERA. He won the NL Cy Young, Triple Crown, and Comeback Player of the Year awards during his first season with the Braves last year after the Red Sox traded him in 2023.
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