When the Braves acquired Chris Sale last December, the move raised more than a few eyebrows. A team on the rise had traded away a promising young prospect for a veteran pitcher who had struggled to stay healthy and had been labeled as past his prime.
But Alex Anthopoulos, Atlanta’s general manager, had a plan. Known for his sharp eye for value, Anthopoulos saw something others didn’t—a chance for Sale to turn the page and rewrite his career.
What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Sale delivered a 2024 season that would go down as one of the best of his career. He led the National League in ERA (2.38), strikeouts (225), and wins (18), achieving the rare pitching Triple Crown.
Clayton Kershaw in 2011 was the last time we had an NL pitcher reached this milestone. For a player who had somehow never won a Cy Young Award before, it was a season to remember. Sale didn’t stop there, either. He added a Gold Glove, Comeback Player of the Year, and Outstanding NL Pitcher to his trophy case.
The turnaround wasn’t just about numbers. Sale came to Atlanta with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. Leaving Boston, where he had felt the weight of unmet expectations, allowed him to reset. A fully healthy offseason helped him return to form, and the support from his new team gave him the confidence to excel.
The Braves also restructured his contract, swapping deferred payments for a two-year, $38 million deal. The extension wasn’t just a financial move, it was a statement that Atlanta believed in Sale. Cleary he rewarded that belief tenfold with the season he had.
What’s even more impressive is how Anthopoulos managed the trade itself. Atlanta not only landed Sale for a single prospect, but Boston also absorbed much of his previous salary. Sale’s 2024 campaign effectively cost the Braves next to nothing while delivering elite results.
Can Chris Sale Follow His 2024 Season? The Braves Think So
Now, the focus shifts to what comes next. Sale will be 35 in 2025, and questions about his durability and ability to repeat this kind of performance will inevitably surface. But if anyone can pull it off, it’s Chris Sale. His idol, Randy Johnson, famously thrived in his later years, and Sale’s competitive fire suggests he could chart a similar course.
Braves fans have every reason to feel optimistic. Sale has already proven he’s still one of the best pitchers in the game, and his resurgence has reinforced why the front office’s decisions consistently put the team in a position to win. Watching him continue his journey in Atlanta’s rotation is an exciting prospect, especially with the 2025 All-Star Game set to take place in Atlanta. Whether it’s leading the staff, starting the Midsummer Classic, or chasing another postseason run, Sale’s story is far from over.
