Braves GM Breaks Silence on Trade Rumors Surrounding Ace Pitcher Chris Sale originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Although the Atlanta Braves haven’t been able to find consistent success in the 2025 season, the team will look to turn things around after winning four of their last five games.
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Manager Brian Snitker has yet to find answers for the team’s inconsistency, but he remains at the helm despite calls from fans and insiders for his firing.
Atlanta is slowly coming back to its true potential as Ronald Acuna Jr. has been able to return from his ACL tear, and first-year Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar is nearing his return from his 80-game suspension.
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
With all of these up-and-down actions taking place in Atlanta, ace pitcher Chris Sale has been hearing his name come up in trade rumors. Many of these rumors have been brought up due to the Braves’ declining performance this year.
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Braves’ general manager Alex Anthopoulos was able to address the rumors taking place on the 2024 Cy Young award winner, saying a potential trade of Chris Sale “will not happen,” according to Atlanta Sports Station 680 The Fan.
After winning the 2024 Cy Young award, the eight-time All-Star struggled to open up the 2025 season in his final year under contract with the Braves.
Through the 36-year-old’s first seven starts of the season, he posted a 4.84 ERA and had a 1-3 record.
Since beginning the month of May, Sale has found the groove of things and has been dominant. He’s been able to get his season ERA down to a 2.79 and has put up three different 10-strikeout outings in his last seven starts.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Truist Park.Brett Davis-Imagn Images
While the Atlanta Braves haven’t looked like themselves in the 2025 season, it’s safe to say that Chris Sale will continue to stay put with the team and play out the final year of his expiring contract.
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The Braves have a club option for the Sale at the end of the season, so if they like what they see from him as the season plays out, Atlanta will have a choice between signing him for another year or letting him walk in free agency.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.