Could the Atlanta Braves surprise Major League Baseball this summer and cut ties with one of their most valuable players?
Atlanta entered Wednesday with a 27-32 record, and the postseason feels like a longshot.
The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets look like juggernauts through 60-plus games, and the Braves might want to consider punting on the season, especially if it means they can benefit from selling before the July 31 MLB trade deadline.
Marcell Ozuna is one guy that has been surfacing a ton in trade rumors, and Braves fans at this point wouldn’t be shocked to see Ozuna dealt before the deadline.
There’s another asset that the entire baseball world — not just fans in Atlanta — would be flabbergasted to see the Braves trade, however. But that didn’t stop sportscaster Chris Rose from proposing the idea this week on a new episode of Baseball Today with co-host Trevor Plouffe.
In a moment that elicited disbelief from Plouffe on air, Rose speculated that the Braves could trade 2024 National League Cy Young pitcher Chris Sale.
“I don’t think he’s got a no-trade (clause),” Rose said.
“He had one in Boston that he waived. (Sale’s contract is) an $18 million team option for next year. He is the piece … that could swing maybe the entire playoffs (if traded).”
Rose also substantiated his idea by challenging the notion that the Braves have any chance to make the playoffs in 2025.
“Do you see them getting back in the race, whether it’s wild card or division?” Rose asked.
“They’re 10 back in the division; they’re five-plus (back) in the wild card.
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“I know that Braves fans would be like, ‘That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.’ It’s possible it is. But when you’re talking about something that could fetch you — I’m not talking about High-A prospects here — I’m talking about young guys that can help you continue to make the Braves very relevant.”
Rose’s Sale idea is certainly out-of-the-box thinking. If Atlanta has any hopes of competing for the postseason this season or next season, trading Sale wouldn’t make sense.
Punting on the 2026 season, in particular, would feel like a rash decision from Atlanta’s front office if it were to seriously consider Rose’s idea.
The Braves tend to hang around in playoff contention until the final days of the season each year (if they are not dominating and already in playoff position), which makes moving on from one of the game’s best starting pitchers an uncharacteristic move.
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