The Atlanta Braves, after a dominant 2023 season, have struggled through injuries and poor results in 2024, currently holding a 31-38 record. With the team‘s performance faltering, discussions have emerged around the possibility of trading left-handed pitcher Chris Sale. The New York Yankees appear as a logical trade partner if the Braves decide to move Sale, sparking considerable interest in the baseball world due to the potential impact of this deal.
Trade Proposal Involves Prominent Yankees Prospects
A trade concept proposed by Cole Shelton of Heavy Sports details a potential exchange where the Braves would send Chris Sale to the Yankees in return for two of New York’s top prospects, Spencer Jones and Brock Selvidge. This deal would represent a significant transaction as it involves highly regarded young talents alongside an established ace.
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as New York would acquire Sale for two top-10 prospects, including their second-ranked prospect,
said Shelton.
The Yankees would acquire Sale, who’s earning $22 million this season and has a club option for $18 million,
he continued.
Sale would be the Yankees’ No. 3 starter behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, which would be a great three-man rotation for a playoff series. Sale is 4-4 with a 2.79 ERA in 14 starts this season. He won the NL Cy Young in 2024 and is an eight-time All-Star, as well as winning the World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018.
Feasibility of Yankees Acquiring Chris Sale
For New York, parting with Spencer Jones and Brock Selvidge might be an attractive price to strengthen their rotation. However, the Braves may consider this offer insufficient given Sale’s talent and current performance, despite him being 36 years old. His 2.79 ERA and status as a recent Cy Young winner mean other teams could present more lucrative offers at the trade deadline.
Spencer Jones, once deemed untouchable, has become a potential trade candidate, especially when considering his strikeout challenges. Kristie Ackert from Athlon Sports highlighted Jones as a name to monitor during trade discussions this summer, particularly given his uneven performance in Double-A with a high strikeout percentage.
The 6-foot-7 former first-rounder remains a riddle. He’s flashed power and athleticism, but he’s hitting around .220 at Double-A with a strikeout rate near 45 percent. Scouts still believe, but if the Yankees need rotation help this summer, he’s a name to watch in trade rumors,
Ackert reported.
Prospects Involved and Their Value to the Braves
Brock Selvidge, the other prospect in the deal, is viewed as a solid player who the Yankees hope to retain for the long term. Despite this, if the Yankees are serious about contending for a World Series, acquiring an established pitcher like Sale could outweigh keeping young talent on the roster.
Missed the second half of 2023 and opened this month with one Double-A start after ramping up at lower levels. Still in the Yankees’ long-term plans,
Ackert stated.
Significance and Potential Impact of the Trade Talks
This trade discussion highlights the Braves’ willingness to pivot their roster amid a disappointing season and the Yankees’ ambition to solidify their starting pitching for a playoff push. Landing Chris Sale would bolster New York’s rotation significantly, complementing starters Max Fried and Carlos Rodon to create a formidable trio heading into the postseason.
For Atlanta, acquiring two promising prospects like Jones and Selvidge could aid in rebuilding depth for future seasons, though the Braves may ultimately seek a larger return given Sale’s caliber and the depth of interest from other teams. As the MLB trade deadline approaches, monitoring these developments will prove crucial for fans and analysts alike.