Chris Sale admitted he once questioned whether the Atlanta Braves’ decision to acquire him made any sense, joking that president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos should have been drug tested after the move. Sale and Anthopoulos now share a strong relationship, but at the time of the deal, the pitcher was unsure why a team would take a chance on him after recent struggles.
Anthopoulos also acknowledged the risk internally, telling team chairman Terry McGuirk that criticism would follow the decision. The Braves were trading for a 34-year-old pitcher with a long injury history, and expectations from outside the organization were cautious.
Even Anthopoulos leaned on instinct rather than projections, explaining that his evaluation process still allows space for belief in players whose recent results suggest decline. Despite doubts, the organization proceeded with the transaction involving infielder Vaughn Grissom heading to Boston.
Although external skepticism surrounded the move, the front office remained convinced enough to proceed, even while anticipating backlash.
Injuries and struggles in Boston
Before the trade, Sale’s career in Boston had been defined by physical setbacks and inconsistency. He underwent Tommy John surgery and also dealt with multiple bone fractures, which limited his ability to sustain his previous level of dominance.
It had been years since he appeared at his peak form, with his last truly elite stretch dating back to 2018. Across several seasons, he cycled through rehabilitation and attempts to return to top performance, but the results rarely matched expectations.
The emotional toll of those years was significant for Sale, who described the experience as deeply difficult and mentally draining. He reflected that constant injuries and underperformance made it hard to even enjoy the game or express positivity.
During that period, he believed his career might be nearing its conclusion, assuming any future role would likely involve simply finishing out his contract rather than returning to prominence.
Resurgence in Atlanta
After joining Atlanta, Sale’s career shifted rapidly in a new direction. He went on to win a Cy Young Award in 2024 and earned his first All-Star selection since 2018, marking a sharp return to elite form.
Across recent seasons with the Braves, he has consistently posted strong numbers, including low earned run averages and high strikeout rates. In the current season, he has continued that trajectory with an ERA of 1.89 through ten starts, helping lead a team that holds the best record in baseball.
His most recent outing further reinforced his status as a dominant starter, echoing the level of performance once expected during his earlier career. The Braves have also weathered injuries early in the season yet maintained their position near the top of the league standings.
Sale has become a stabilizing presence in the rotation, regularly setting the tone for the team and contributing significantly to its success.
Clubhouse presence and new perspective
Beyond statistics, Sale’s influence inside the clubhouse has become a major part of his value to Atlanta. Anthopoulos noted that his presence allows him to hold teammates accountable, describing him as an important internal standard-setter.
Teammate Martín Pérez, who also played with Sale in Boston, observed that the environment in Atlanta differs from Boston in terms of pressure and media attention. He suggested that the change of setting has been beneficial for Sale’s mindset and overall experience.
Sale himself has spoken about shifting his approach to the game, focusing more on appreciating each opportunity rather than worrying about what might come next. He described learning to value every start, whether few or many, after previously fearing his time in baseball could be ending.
Now, he says he is enjoying his role and the experience of playing again, acknowledging that whatever follows will be an added bonus after what he has already been through.