Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale is set to start the team’s spring training opener against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic.
Sale, 35, made a huge impact in his first season with Atlanta during the 2024 campaign. The left-handed pitcher dominated with a league-leading 225 strikeouts and a stellar 2.38 ERA. He also posted an 18-3 record across 29 starts, earning him the National League Cy Young Award.
From 2020 to 2023, Sale was limited to just 31 appearances due to injuries. However, his move to Atlanta marked a turning point, as he not only remained healthy but thrived on the mound. Once seemingly nearing retirement during his final years with the Boston Red Sox, Sale has now reestablished himself as a premier pitcher.
With former ace Max Fried joining the Yankees in free agency and Spencer Strider still recovering from injury, Sale is now the leader of the Braves’ rotation. He’ll take the mound for the team’s spring opener, showcasing his role as Atlanta’s new top starter.
The Braves made a strong playoff push last season but fell short in the National League East as the Philadelphia Phillies claimed the division title with a 95-67 record. Atlanta and the New York Mets both finished tied for second at 89-73. This year, the Braves are determined to reclaim the division crown and chase a World Series title.
Atlanta’s roster will get a major boost with the expected returns of Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr., both of whom dealt with injuries last season. While Strider will add depth to the rotation, Acuña remains one of the most explosive offensive talents in baseball when healthy.
If the Braves can stay healthy, they have the potential to be a serious contender in the 2025 season.
Braves Considering Risky Trade for High-Priced Shortstop
One of the most closely watched positions for Atlanta Braves fans this season will be shortstop. Initially, many believed Orlando Arcia could fill the void left by Dansby Swanson, but after a disastrous 2024 campaign, his future with the team is uncertain.
Arcia had been solid defensively and posted a respectable .738 OPS across 2022 and 2023, but his production plummeted last season. His .218/.271/.354 slash line in 2024 ranked among the worst for everyday players, and his decent—though not elite—defense couldn’t make up for his offensive struggles.
While various ideas have been floated to address the Braves’ shortstop situation, no real solutions have emerged, especially after Willy Adames signed with the Giants. However, Bleacher Report recently suggested that Atlanta should capitalize on the Padres’ financial struggles and trade for Xander Bogaerts. While the move has some logic, it could create more issues than it solves.
Bogaerts’ Contract Presents Major Challenges for Atlanta
San Diego is in a difficult situation following the unexpected passing of owner Peter Seidler, which has led to legal complications and financial uncertainty. The team is looking to reduce payroll, and shedding Bogaerts’ massive contract would be a significant step toward that goal.
For Atlanta, the rationale behind such a deal would be taking on most or all of Bogaerts’ contract—over $25 million per year through 2033—in exchange for a high-level prospect. If the Braves believe Bogaerts can still contribute at shortstop, the trade could make sense despite the financial burden.
However, this move would be an enormous gamble. While Arcia struggled last season, he remains an inexpensive player, making his underperformance easier to tolerate. Bogaerts, on the other hand, carries a hefty contract and is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he posted a .688 OPS—his lowest since 2014. At 32, there’s concern that this decline could become the norm, especially for a player who has never been known for elite exit velocity. Even if he performs better than Arcia in the short term, it may not be enough to justify the massive financial commitment.
A Deal Might Depend on the Prospect Involved
Ultimately, whether the Braves should pursue this trade could hinge on the prospect San Diego is willing to include. If the Padres are open to sending over top prospect Leo De Vries—one of the best young talents in baseball and a potential long-term solution at shortstop—it might be worth considering. However, San Diego’s farm system lacks depth, and if the Padres are unwilling to part with a top-tier prospect while also offloading Bogaerts’ contract, Atlanta should walk away from the negotiations.
