Braves Pick Up 2026 Option on Cy Young Winner Chris Sale

The Atlanta Braves have ensured that their pitching staff remains anchored by one of baseball’s elite arms, exercising their $18 million club option on left-hander Chris Sale for the 2026 season, a source confirmed to ESPN. The move was widely expected after Sale’s stellar 2024 campaign, in which he earned the National League Cy Young Award and reestablished himself as one of the game’s premier starters.

Sale, 36, went 7-5 with a 2.58 ERA and struck out 165 batters over 125⅔ innings, despite missing more than two months with a rib cage fracture. The veteran southpaw sustained the injury in June after diving for a grounder and was placed on the 60-day injured list. His absence mirrored the misfortunes of a Braves rotation plagued by injuries throughout the season.

Yet when Sale returned, he immediately rediscovered his dominant form. Over six starts following his recovery, he logged a 2.72 ERA and fanned 52 batters across 36⅓ innings. His poise and consistency stood out during a turbulent year in which Atlanta missed the postseason for the first time since 2017.

The Braves’ decision to retain Sale underscores their confidence in his leadership and production. With the team under new manager Walt Weiss, keeping the 2024 NL Cy Young winner offers both continuity and credibility as the franchise looks to rebound from a rare down season.

1. A Season of Dominance Amid Adversity

Sale’s resurgence in Atlanta was more than a comeback story — it was a masterclass in resilience and execution. In his first season with the Braves, he not only anchored a depleted rotation but also delivered one of the finest campaigns of his career. His 18 wins, 225 strikeouts, and 2.38 ERA earned him the National League pitching Triple Crown — a feat no Braves pitcher had accomplished in decades. Even amid injuries that sidelined key starters throughout the year, Sale’s consistency became Atlanta’s defining strength. His ability to attack hitters with precision, mixing a devastating slider with pinpoint fastball command, allowed him to remain effective deep into games. That dependability proved vital for a team that struggled to maintain continuity in its rotation. The 36-year-old’s leadership extended beyond the mound. Younger pitchers credited Sale with setting a tone of professionalism and focus in a locker room adjusting to frequent roster changes. His presence provided a stabilizing force as the Braves navigated the challenges of a season marked by missed opportunities and mounting injuries. Now fully healthy and locked in for another year, Sale will remain the centerpiece of a pitching staff that aims to reclaim its dominance in the National League. For the Braves, his return is more than a financial decision — it’s a reaffirmation of their long-term vision for sustained contention.

2. Weiss and the Braves Eye a Fresh Start

As Atlanta turns the page to 2026, new manager Walt Weiss inherits a roster still loaded with star power. The lineup remains one of baseball’s deepest, led by former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., first baseman Matt Olson, third baseman Austin Riley, and promising young catcher Drake Baldwin. On the pitching side, Sale will be joined by co-aces Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, forming a rotation capable of matching any in the league when healthy. The Braves’ fourth-place finish in 2025 was a disappointment by their recent standards, but internal optimism remains high. Weiss, who steps in to replace Brian Snitker, is expected to emphasize fundamentals and sharper game management — areas that faltered during last season’s injury-laden campaign. His familiarity with the organization, having served as bench coach, should help ease the transition. Despite the rotation’s strength, Atlanta faces uncertainty in the bullpen. Closer Raisel Iglesias is set to enter free agency, leaving a significant hole in the late innings. The front office will likely prioritize relief pitching this offseason, while also evaluating young arms such as Hurston Waldrep, Grant Holmes, and Bryce Elder for expanded roles. The challenge for Weiss and general manager Alex Anthopoulos will be maintaining balance — blending experience with youth, and aggression with patience. With Sale’s return ensuring top-tier stability on the mound, Atlanta’s focus now shifts to rebuilding the bullpen and regaining the edge that once made them perennial division champions.

3. Deep Rotation, Renewed Ambition

For all their setbacks, the Braves remain positioned to contend again in the National League East. The decision to retain Sale reflects the front office’s belief that the core remains championship-caliber. A rotation headlined by Sale and Strider provides a formidable foundation, while the emergence of Schwellenbach and Waldrep adds upside and depth. The offensive nucleus continues to rank among the league’s most dangerous, capable of overpowering opposing staffs when healthy. What the Braves lacked last season was consistency — something Sale’s steady presence could help restore. His competitive drive and veteran influence are expected to serve as key components of Weiss’s first year at the helm. If Atlanta can avoid the injury bug and shore up its bullpen, a return to the postseason appears well within reach. Weiss’s leadership, combined with Sale’s stability and the energy of a young pitching corps, gives the franchise the right mix of talent and accountability heading into 2026. The front office is confident that with even minor adjustments, the team can reclaim its dominant identity. In many ways, picking up Sale’s option represents more than a roster move — it’s a declaration of intent. The Braves are signaling to the league that they plan to compete, not rebuild. With a healthy rotation, renewed clubhouse chemistry, and one of baseball’s best hitters leading the charge, Atlanta’s ambitions for 2026 are clear: return to the postseason and reestablish themselves among the National League’s elite.