Cubs Get a Definite ‘No’ on Potential Blockbuster With Rumored Target Chris Sale originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Chicago Cubs received some bad news on a potential trade target that could have made their rotation unstoppable. Given their 33-39 record, most assumed the Atlanta Braves would be sellers at the trade deadline. This might still be true; however, their ace is not up for grabs. According to Braves’ GM Alex Anthopoulos, Chris Sale is going nowhere, and in no uncertain terms. When asked about trading Chris Sale, he had this to say:
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“No, zero. I’ve seen the speculation. It’s completely ridiculous to me. We are not selling, especially someone that has club control beyond the current year,” he said. “Will not happen. I never make definitive statements unless I’m going to stick to them. Once you make definitive statements and then you go back on them, you’re a liar and you’re done.
“Will. Not. Happen. Bold, italicize it, caps. So much so that I’m trying to make a trade now — it’s very hard to make a trade in June — just to signal to everybody that we will not sell. (If) you get to the end of July and things are completely changed, I guess we would reevaluate, but you’d have to be extreme. We’re built to win. Our expectations are to win. Our expectations are to go for it the entire time.”
Jed Hoyer President of the Chicago Cubs talks to the media before a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. David Banks-Imagn Images
The 36-year-old reigning Cy Young champ has a club option for next year at $18 million, less than the $22 million he is making this year. As Anthopoulos indicated, there is a small chance the team will sell at the deadline, but any potential selloff won’t include their ace.
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The Cubs were rumored to be suitors for Sale, who won a triple crown last season, pitching to a 2.38 ERA with 225 strikeouts, garnering 18 wins. This season, Sale owns a 2.52 ERA. His presence in the Cubs’ rotation would have set up a tandem featuring two of the top southpaws in the game with Shota Imanaga.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.