Braves lock in Chris Sale as whispers grow about a bigger swing

The Atlanta Braves are exercising their $18 million club option on left-hander Chris Sale for the 2026 season, according to reports. The move is one of the easiest decision-calls this offseason — Sale, now 36, remains one of the game’s elite starters, even after injury setbacks.

In 2024, Sale won the NL Cy Young Award after posting a dominant season. This year, he was on pace again with a 2.52 ERA and 2.71 FIP through 15 starts before a rib-cage fracture sidelined him for ten weeks. Upon his return, he delivered six starts with a 2.72 ERA and 2.58 FIP, striking out 36.4% of opponents in 36⅓ innings. The stuff still pops, and for a cost-controlled price, the Braves locked him in.

For Atlanta’s payroll and roster outlook, the decision stabilizes the rotation headline and gives flexibility for the winter. The Braves’ projected 2026 payroll remains in the low-$200 million range, keeping them under the Competitive Balance Tax threshold and leaving room to chase bullpen help or a right-handed bat.

Sale’s commitment means the pitching board is set, and the front office can plot upgrades around a veteran ace rather than scramble to replace one.

Braves Winter to-do list

Identify another star behind Sale. The Braves have already been linked to Padres ace Dylan Cease. 

Shore up late-inning help. With Sale locked in, attention can shift to the bullpen and depth arms who will carry heavy innings.

Decide where to allocate the remaining payroll space. With the rotation’s top piece settled, the Braves have room to invest smartly — not wildly.

In short, picking up the option on Sale is a foundational move for 2026. Atlanta now has a veteran ace locked in, a roomy payroll, and a more straightforward path to a postseason push.