BRAVES DOUBLE DOWN ON LEGENDARY FIRE – CHRIS SALE’S $18M OPTION PICKED UP, FANS ROAR AS “THE MAD ARTIST” STAYS IN ATLANTA.vc
The Braves just made it official: Chris Sale isn’t going anywhere. Atlanta is picking up the $18 million option on their ace left-hander — a move that electrifies the fanbase and cements Sale’s place as the emotional heartbeat of this rotation.
ATLANTA — This is the news Braves Country was waiting for. In the first and most decisive move of a critical offseason, the Atlanta Braves have officially picked up the $18 million club option for their ace, Chris Sale.
The decision sends a jolt of electricity through a fanbase reeling from a “brutal” 2025 season and a complete coaching staff overhaul. This wasn’t just a business decision; it was a statement.
“The Mad Artist” is staying home.
After a month of uncertainty, the front office has locked in the undisputed “emotional heartbeat” of its pitching staff. Sale, who will turn 37 before Opening Day 2026, has been the team’s standard-bearer since the moment he put on a Braves uniform.
His tenure in Atlanta has been nothing short of legendary. He was the single brightest spot in the 2024 season, delivering one of the most dominant pitching campaigns in franchise history:
- 2024 NL Cy Young Award Winner
- 2024 Pitching Triple Crown Winner
- 2x All-Star (2024, 2025)
While the rest of the team faltered in 2025, Sale remained the one constant—the “Legendary Fire” the team could count on every fifth day.
For fans, the $18 million price tag is considered an absolute steal for a future Hall of Famer who has shown no signs of slowing down. He is the veteran leader, the fiery competitor, and the “artist” who paints the corners of the plate with a fury that has defined the team’s identity.
With new manager Walt Weiss taking over, securing Sale was the “no-brainer” first step to guaranteeing that the 2025 disappointment was an exception, not the rule. The rotation has its anchor. The clubhouse has its leader.
The fire is back. “The Mad Artist” will be on the mound for Atlanta in 2026.
