Braves predicted to renege on bold Chris Sale pledge at trade deadline

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos didn't mince words on Wednesday.

During an appearance on 680 The Fan, Anthopoulos pledged that the Braves would not be sellers at the trade deadline, and specifically referenced ace starting pitcher Chris Sale, who went on to throw 8 2/3 scoreless innings later on Wednesday evening.

“It’s completely ridiculous to me. We are not selling, especially someone that has club control beyond the current year,” Anthopoulos said.

“Will not happen. I never make definitive statements unless I’m going to stick to them. Once you make definitive statements and then go back on them, you’re a liar and you’re done. Will. Not. Happen. Bold, italicize it, caps.”

Sounds pretty definitive, no? But one baseball writer still thinks Anthopoulos could take back his word.

On Thursday, CBS Sports' Matt Snyder predicted that Sale would be the biggest name traded at the 2025 deadline, which is Jul. 31 at 6 p.m. EST.

Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp

"Should (Atlanta) fall back to something like eight games out by the last week of July, there's reason to believe they could miss the playoffs. Sale is 36 years old and could be a free agent after this year," Snyder wrote.

"Sure, the Braves could keep him, given that there's a club option for $18 million next year, and that's the most likely scenario. It won't hurt to listen to offers once they figure they are out of playoff contention in 2025, though, and moving Sale could be the right move for long-term organizational health here."

Sale has been fantastic in the follow-up to his Cy Young campaign in 2024. He notched his fifth win and lowered his ERA to 2.54 on Wednesday night, punching out 114 batters in 89 1/3 innings. Since the start of May, he has a 1.00 ERA in eight starts.

At 33-39, the Braves are 5 1/2 games out of a playoff spot at the moment. That fact, coupled with Sale's brilliant performance of late, makes it easier to believe Anthopoulos' word than Snyder's bold prediction. 

Still, another losing streak could put the Braves behind the eight ball. They wouldn't be under pressure to trade Sale since they have him under contract for 2026, but crazier things have certainly happened.

More MLB: Braves blockbuster trade pitch lands $3.5 million Red Sox All-Star