Braves’ Sale Dominates Amid Trade Buzz

ATLANTA—June 21, 2025
Chris Sale fired a near-complete game shutout against the Mets this week, silencing early-season doubts with a vintage performance that reminded baseball why he’s still one of the game’s most feared pitchers. Yet even as the left-hander’s resurgence fuels Atlanta’s flickering playoff hopes, the Braves front office faces a brutal dilemma: capitalize on his soaring trade value or gamble his health holds through October.

The Comeback Canvas

Just three months ago, Sale’s career seemed at a crossroads. His fastball velocity dipped to 93 mph. His signature slider lacked bite. After three brutal April starts where he posted a 9.64 ERA, critics wondered if the 36-year-old’s injury-plagued body had finally betrayed him. But in a gritty 8.2-inning masterpiece against New York on Tuesday, Sale silenced skeptics. Painting corners with 94-mph heat and buckling knees with hellacious sliders, he held the Mets to four hits while striking out seven. “That’s the Chris I faced in the 2018 World Series,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza admitted afterward. “When he’s right, he’s unhittable.”

The Lingering Health Questions

Despite the dominance, shadows of past injuries loom. Sale missed the entire 2024 postseason with a back issue that strained his ribcage and oblique—a similar ailment that cost him months in 2022. Though currently healthy, the recurrence risk terrifies Atlanta’s medical staff. “Every time he grimaces after a pitch, we hold our breath,” a Braves trainer confided. This fragility explains why the Braves skipped his turn in the rotation twice this month, carefully managing his workload despite the team’s desperate need for wins.

Trade Winds Intensify

With Atlanta languishing nine games back in the Wild Card race, rival executives are circling. The Cubs, Dodgers, and Orioles have all inquired about Sale, intrigued by his $18 million team option for 2026. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos faces mounting pressure to deal him if the team slips further behind by July. “They’d want a top-100 prospect plus secondary pieces,” an NL scout revealed. “But his age and medicals could scare some clubs off.” Anthopoulos remains publicly noncommittal: “Chris is vital to our present. We’re not waving white flags.”

The Human Factor

In the clubhouse, Sale’s revival resonates deeply. Teammates watched him rebuild his delivery from scratch this spring after film revealed a critical flaw: his arm slot had dropped, sapping velocity and command. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz noticed Sale was “pushing the ball instead of whipping it.” Hours of drills followed—towel snaps, weighted-ball exercises, endless bullpen sessions. “He’d be drenched in sweat two hours before first pitch,” said catcher Sean Murphy. “This dominance wasn’t luck. It was sweat equity.”

What Comes Next

All eyes turn to Sale’s next start—a critical showcase ahead of the July 30 trade deadline. A repeat of his Mets gem could force Anthopoulos to keep him for a playoff push. Another injury scare might accelerate trade talks. For now, Sale remains focused on the mound, not the rumors. “I came here to win a ring,” he told reporters post-game, ice wrapped around his left elbow. “Everything else is noise.”

As Atlanta’s front office weighs risk versus reward, one truth echoes through Truist Park: When Chris Sale takes the ball right now, he’s not just pitching for wins. He’s pitching for his Braves future.