The rumors around Chris Sale only continue to get louder as the team continues to struggle. With the Atlanta Braves sitting six games under .500 and struggling to stay afloat in the National League East, the idea of trading the reigning NL Cy Young winner is creeping into the realm of possibility.
It’s not what Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is known for, just to be clear. Selling a key piece like Sale in June? That would be a seismic shift in philosophy. But this season has been anything but normal, and the hard truth is: if the Braves don’t course-correct fast, holding onto a 37-year-old ace might not make strategic sense anymore. According to Fansided’s Christopher Kline, there are 3 teams primed to get Sale given the opportunity.
Detroit Tigers: The Quiet Powerhouse with Ammo to Burn
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of need, opportunity, and assets, the Detroit Tigers check all the boxes. They have the best pitching staff in the American League and the No. 1 farm system in baseball. They’re surprising people at the plate, and with Tarik Skubal leading the charge (for now), they’re dreaming of a postseason run that doesn’t end early.
But Skubal’s uncertain long-term status could make them a little more aggressive. And imagine this: Skubal and Sale—two of the nastiest left-handers in baseball—anchoring a playoff rotation, flanked by rising names like Reese Olson and Keider Montero. Do you think that’s a group you want to face in a short series?
Detroit could offer hitting prospects like Kevin McGonigle or Hao-Yu Lee to Atlanta—exactly the kind of controllable, near-ready bats that the Braves could plug into their retool. The Tigers have been quiet buyers before, but bold might just be their best bet in a season like this.
Chicago Cubs: All-In and Out for Blood
The Cubs are done playing small ball in the front office. The Kyle Tucker trade proved that. And now, with their pitching staff suffering body blow after body blow—Shota Imanaga on the IL, Justin Steele out for the year—the timing could not be more urgent.
Sale would give Craig Counsell the ace this rotation is currently missing, and Chicago has the prospect depth to make the Braves listen. Names like Kevin Alcantara, Jefferson Rojas, and Owen Cassie could reshape Atlanta’s farm overnight.
Yes, it’s an intra-league deal, which always comes with hesitancy. But if Anthopoulos is truly looking at the long-term build, selling high on Sale now and loading up on future value might trump the risk of seeing Sale in Cubbie blue come October.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Because of Course They Would
Do the Dodgers need Chris Sale? Not really. Do they want Chris Sale? Probably. Because if there’s a star available, L.A. is always in the mix.
With Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Rōki Sasaki all facing injuries, there’s a real void in the Dodgers’ rotation depth. And unlike most clubs, they can afford to add another massive contract without blinking. That $18 million club option in 2026? Pocket change for a franchise that basically prints money.
And their farm system? Still rich. They’ve got outfielders like Zyhir Hope and Josue De Paula, infielders like Alex Freeland and Emil Morales, and a few young pitchers like River Ryan who could interest Atlanta. Even a name like Bobby Miller isn’t out of the question if the Dodgers are serious about winning now.
Do you think the Braves want to watch Sale thrive in Dodger blue? Absolutely not. But if the package is right, Anthopoulos has to pick up the phone. That’s just good business.
Braves Need Sale to Remain in Atlanta
No one wants to see the Braves sell off Chris Sale. But the season’s on the edge, and if things don’t turn around quickly, there are dangerous, ready-to-win clubs with the firepower to make Anthopoulos think twice. The Tigers. The Cubs. The Dodgers. Each has the motive. Each has the means. And if Atlanta’s front office chooses pragmatism over sentimentality, a blockbuster might be just around the corner.
