The Atlanta Braves sit at 28-38, fourth in the NL East and 9 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot. They’re staring down the possibility of being deadline sellers.
Even if Atlanta decides to sell, they won’t be moving cornerstone players like Austin Riley, Michael Harris, Matt Olson or Ronald Acuña Jr. All of them are locked into long-term deals. But Chris Sale is a different story – he’s got an $18 million club option for 2026 that gives the Braves flexibility.
Sale’s the reigning NL Cy Young winner and an eight-time All-Star. He’s also 36.
That’s where the calculation gets interesting. It’s unclear how much Sale has left, and if the Braves fall further out of contention, they could flip him for young talent that fits their timeline better. FanSided’s Fred Owens floated a trade that would send Sale back to his former team:
- Red Sox receive: Chris Sale
- Braves receive: Jarren Duran, Franklin Arias and Mikey Romero
Now that’s a package that would get Atlanta’s attention. Franklin Arias is Boston’s No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and could soon be their top guy with Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony now in the majors. Jarren Duran was an All-Star last season and is under club control through 2028. The Red Sox might be forced to move him anyway thanks to their outfield logjam.
Mikey Romero rounds out the deal as Boston’s No. 11 prospect.
What This Means for Atlanta
The Braves have a question mark in left field, and Duran could be the answer while also giving them a key piece for the future. Arias is just 19 but could be Atlanta’s long-term shortstop solution. In the meantime, Romero might be able to handle shortstop duties in 2026.
Sale’s been excellent this season, which is exactly why this trade makes sense for both sides. The Red Sox are trying to play their way back into postseason contention and would need a reliable arm next to Garrett Crochet in the rotation. Sale spent seven years in Boston and won a World Series there – the familiarity works in everyone’s favor.
From where I’m sitting, if the Braves do become sellers, moving Sale for Duran, Arias and Romero would set them up perfectly to bounce back in 2026. They’d get immediate help in the outfield plus two promising prospects who could impact the middle infield. That’s the kind of return that makes trading a Cy Young winner hurt a little less.
