Braves Declare Decision on Chris Sale Trade That Effects Yankees, Dodgers, Other Contenders
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The Atlanta Braves are 6 1/2 games out of a National League Wild Card spot entering play on Wednesday. They have not met expectations, and are shaping up to be a team that sells at the deadline.
However, general manager Alex Anthopoulos does not seem to care about where it looks like the Braves are headed. During an appearance on 680 The Fan's "Cellini and Dimino," Anthopoulos noted that his team will not be sellers at the deadline.
"I expect us to be better. ... We are not selling," Anthopoulos said on "Cellini and Dimino." "(We) want to be in a position to add at the trade deadline."
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 09: Alex Anthopoulos of the Atlanta Braves aknowledges the crowd at Truist Park during the World Series Ring Ceremony on April 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 09: Alex Anthopoulos of the Atlanta Braves aknowledges the crowd at Truist Park during the World Series Ring Ceremony on April 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.When specifically asked about Chris Sale's trade value and whether the Braves would consider trading him, Anthopoulos was clear.
"Will not happen," Anthopoulos told the radio hosts.
With how the Braves were playing, many teams likely expected them to listen to offers for Sale and some of their other stars. Sale won the National League Cy Young Award last season and has a 2.79 ERA in 14 starts this year. He has a $18 million club option for next season.
With Sale off the board, contenders like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, who may be looking for starting pitching, will need to settle for lesser options.
Sale would have been the best pitcher available, but now the best pitchers on teams poised to be sellers include Sandy Alcántara and Andrew Heaney. Alcántara is a Cy Young Award winner, but has struggled this year. Heaney is a reliable starter, but not someone teams will put in the front half of their rotation.
Contenders who need pitchers will either settle for some of the underwhelming options or hold out until the Milwaukee Brewers or Arizona Diamondbacks are willing to deal some of their talented starters. Freddy Peralta, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly could become the talk of the deadline if their respective teams decide to sell.
More MLB: Former MLB Executive Encourages Mariners To Trade For Diamondbacks Slugger
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