The Atlanta Braves have their fair share of contract decisions to make this winter, but none are as easy as picking up Chris Sale's $18 million club option. General manager Alex Anthopoulos gave a big vote of confidence by extending Chris Sale before he had ever thrown a pitch for the team ahead of the 2024 season. Sale rewarded that confidence by winning his first Cy Young award in 2024, and following it up with another stellar 2025 other than his unfortunate rib injury.
Sale is expected to anchor the rotation once again in 2026, but his status after next season remains unknown. Sale will turn 37 years-old in March, and it's unclear how long he wants to continue pitching. Sale posted a 2.58 ERA, 2.67 FIP, and 3.9 bWAR in just 21 games last season so there is no question the supreme talent is still there. However, if Sale is prepared to pitch beyond 2026 the Braves need to get creative with his contract and stabilize their future rotation.
Despite being limited due to injury, Chris Sale still put together a spectacular season with a 2.58 ERA across 125 innings pitched. His slider was our SP Pitch of the Year. pic.twitter.com/3DpPmZHA3T
— Baseball Prospectus (@baseballpro) October 23, 2025
Braves need to approach Chris Sale with another contract extension
Beyond Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, there are no clear locks for the Atlanta Braves rotation beyond 2026. Sale is every bit worth the $18 million he is owed next season, but if he hits the open market next offseason he could very well command a deal worth much more. This is where Alex Anthopoulos can get creative and reward Sale for his stellar work, while simultaneously locking up a front of the rotation starter for 2027.
Anthopoulos should approach Sale with another contract extension, perhaps one that guarantees him more money in 2026 and adds a year to his deal. Something in the neighborhood of two years, $50 million feels fair to both sides. It would give Sale a raise for 2026, plus the security for 2027 should he desire to continue pitching. As for the Braves, it would help keep a frontline starter in house at a discounted price compared to the going market rate for high-end starting pitching.
The Braves' level of security for the 2027 rotation and beyond could very well change with a notable signing this offseason. However, paying a premium price for starting pitching hasn't really been Anthopoulos' method of business. This proposed extension for Sale could be the happy medium that Anthopoulos, Sale, and Braves fans want. Again, this is all dependent on if Sale even wants to continue pitching beyond 2026. Given his continued dominance, why would he stop now?