The Atlanta Braves rarely make a splash in free agency, preferring instead to lock up their own stars with contract extensions. On Tuesday, Atlanta followed form by agreeing to a one-year extension with 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale.
Before locking up Sale, a nine-time All-Star, the Braves had been relatively quiet, with their biggest move the signing of closer Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45M deal.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Braves and Sale have agreed to a $27M extension with a $30M club option for 2028. The 36-year-old Sale was going to become a free agent after this season, but this extension will keep him in Atlanta for the next two seasons.
The Braves have been hit hard by injuries, with 10 players currently sidelined. Atlanta right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach recently had bone spurs removed from his elbow and could be out for an extended period.
Only the Arizona Diamondbacks have been hit harder by injuries, with 17 players injured or out for the season.
In 21 games last season (20 starts), Sale went 7-5 with a 2.58 ERA and struck out 165 in 125.2 innings.