The Atlanta Braves have secured veteran left-hander Chris Sale with a one-year contract extension, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Originally on track to enter free agency this winter, Sale will now remain with the Braves, earning $27 million in 2027, alongside a club option valued at $30 million for 2028. The Braves officially confirmed the agreement.
At 37, Sale continues to demonstrate his prowess on the mound despite approaching his late thirties. The Braves acquired him prior to the 2024 season from the Boston Red Sox, trading Vaughn Grissom in what has proven to be a smart move for the team. Since joining Atlanta, Sale has delivered an impressive 2.46 ERA and a remarkable 2.38 FIP over 303 1/3 innings, striking out 32.2% of batters while maintaining a walk rate of just 5.9%. His success earned him his first Cy Young award in 2024, although injuries, including a rib cage fracture in 2025, limited his number of outings.
Before joining the Braves, Sale’s career was plagued by injuries. He earned seven All-Star selections and six top-five finishes in Cy Young voting during his first nine seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Red Sox. His career peaked dramatically in 2018 when he struck out Manny Machado to close out the World Series for Boston. However, a downturn began in 2019, where he posted a 4.40 ERA while battling injuries, leading him to make only a handful of starts over the next few seasons.
As his injury issues appear to be behind him, Sale is keen on continuing his upward trajectory in Atlanta. Both Sale and Braves president of baseball operations, Alex Anthopoulos, expressed a desire for him to finish his career with the team. Following discussions earlier in spring training, Sale shared his reaction to the deal coming together quickly, conveying the mutual interest between him and the organization.
“I called [my agent] and was like, ‘Hey, call Alex, figure something out.’ You know, we made our pitch, they made their pitch, and we just kind of met in the middle. I mean, I feel like this was [done in] like, a week,” Sale remarked after the announcement.
As Sale looks to solidify his Hall of Fame credentials and help propel the Braves back into the postseason after a challenging 2025 season, he stands as the undisputed ace of Atlanta’s pitching staff. While the rotation faces challenges with the absence of key pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, Sale will be joined by Spencer Strider, Grant Holmes, and Reynaldo Lopez as key players. Although many speculate that the Braves may seek to bolster their rotation further, Sale’s extension ensures that one of baseball’s elite pitchers will remain in Atlanta for the foreseeable future, offering hope as they aim for a successful season ahead.