The Atlanta Braves have arguably been the most disappointing team in Major League Baseball this season, sitting at 31-38 and 13.0 games back in the National League East.Â
With the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies playing the type of baseball they have, it seems nearly impossible for the Braves to even come close to contending in the NL East.Â
Perhaps it’s possible that the Braves can turn things around and earn a Wild Card spot, but that seems very unlikely heading into the middle of June.Â
Barring anything drastic happening, the Braves will likely be sellers at the deadline at the end of July, and that might not be the worst thing. If the Braves want to be the team they’re looking to be in the future, it might require them to move on from some of their top players right now, looking to build toward the future.Â
With left-hander Chris Sale hitting the free agency market at the end of the season, there’s reason to believe that moving on from the 36-year-old at the deadline has its benefits.Â
Where Could Chris Sale Land This MLB Trade Deadline?
In a recent trade idea from Christopher Kline, the Atlanta Braves would move on from the left-hander in a deal with the Detroit Tigers.Â
Detroit, arguably the best team in baseball, would love to add to its rotation with the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner.Â
“Tarik Skubal’s uncertain future only adds fuel to the fire, as Detroit’s window only extends for as long as Skubal leads the rotation,” wrote Kline.Â
“If the Tigers expect to start fielding Skubal trade calls next offseason, well, adding Sale â and locking in that club option for 2026 â at least gives Detroit short-term comfort. In the immediate future, he gives the Tigers arguably the two best left-handed aces in baseball, along with a cadre of up-and-comers in Reese Olson, Keider Montero and Jackson Jobe to flesh out the rotation (and, given their depth, potentially supplement the bullpen).”
Is It Time for Braves to Sell High on Chris Sale?
It remains uncertain what the Atlanta Braves plan to do at the trade deadline, but some have suggested that they could look to move on from Sale.
MLB Trade Rumors believes that the Braves won’t move on from Sale just yet, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them do so eventually.Â
However, about a month and a half ahead of the trade deadline, there isn’t much of a reason to sell low now when the Braves understand that multiple teams will be interested in acquiring him closer to the deadline.
âAtlantaâs front office isnât going to sell six weeks in advance of the trade deadline,â Anthony Franco wrote. âTheyâve invested a lot and this coreâs prior successes have earned them as much runway as possible to get hot.â
What Could Braves Get Back for Chris Sale?
Regarding what the Atlanta Braves could get back in return for the left-hander, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Sale could bring in a monster haul.Â
For a Braves team that can improve its farm system, it might be a better plan to trade him and attempt to rebuild for the future.Â
Things didn’t go as planned, but they don’t want to ruin the next part of their franchise, either.
âSale would bring a haul in a thin market, but his $18 million team-friendly 2026 club option makes them disinclined to trade him,â Heyman says.
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