The Atlanta Braves find themselves stuck in a frustrating spot this year, sitting at 42–53 and well out of playoff contention.
Fans might expect a full-scale teardown given their place in the standings, but Atlanta isn’t ready to blow it all up just yet.
Sale remains untouchable as trade deadline nears
According to Robert Murray of Fansided, the Braves have zero interest in moving their controllable core pieces, including Chris Sale.
That’s a telling commitment to the veteran left-hander, even with him currently on the 60-day injured list nursing a rib injury.
It’s clear Atlanta still believes Sale is the heartbeat of their rotation, the type of ace who can anchor them once the reset is complete.
A dominant first half that’s tough to overlook
Before landing on the injured list, Chris Sale was putting together one of the best campaigns of his career — a remarkable bounce back story.
Over 89.1 innings, he carved out a stellar 2.52 ERA with 11.49 strikeouts per nine, shutting down opponents like it was 2018 all over again.
That kind of dominance is why the Braves aren’t eager to move on, even if some rival GMs would line up to send over prospect hauls.
Holding on means betting big on 2026
Atlanta’s gamble here is all about the long view.
Sale’s contract includes a club option for 2026, which they still plan to exercise, hoping he can spearhead a healthier playoff push.
It’s the kind of roll of the dice that could look brilliant if Sale returns to form — or painful if age and injuries continue to creep in.
Like trusting a classic sports car to roar again after months in the shop, the Braves clearly believe there’s plenty of horsepower left.
Selling now would only bring short-term relief
Even though they could probably land a strong package by dealing Sale right now, it would be a sell-low scenario that Atlanta wants to avoid.
Instead, if the team finds itself in the same situation next July, they’ll still have an expiring deal on Sale that could fetch assets.
It’s a patient play, giving the front office flexibility without sacrificing a top-tier arm just because the standings look bleak in 2025.
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Braves still value stability for a quick turnaround
The Braves’ decision to keep Chris Sale underscores that they’re not aiming for a long rebuild.
With several controllable pieces still in place, they hope this season proves to be more of a stumble than a collapse.
A healthy Sale next season might be exactly what turns them back into contenders, without ever needing to cash him out for prospects.
If Chris Sale can get healthy and stay on the mound in 2026, the Atlanta Braves could look brilliant for resisting deadline temptations.
Keeping their ace despite the current slide shows they’re still dreaming big — hoping one more run with Sale at the front is right around the corner.
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