Braves Sign Cy Young Winner Chris Sale to 1-Year, $27M Extension

Deal includes $30M club option for 2028 season as veteran lefty continues late-career resurgence in Atlanta.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 2:43pm

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The Atlanta Braves have signed 36-year-old ace Chris Sale to a one-year, $27 million contract extension for the 2027 season, with a $30 million club option for 2028. Sale, a nine-time All-Star, won his first Cy Young award in 2024 and has been a stalwart in the Braves' rotation despite recent injuries, going 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 2024 and 2.58 ERA in 2025.

Why it matters

The extension keeps Sale in Atlanta through his age-39 season and increases the likelihood he reaches 3,000 career strikeouts with the Braves. With several key starters expected to miss much of 2026, Sale's durability will be crucial to the Braves' chances in the NL East.

The details

Sale, who turns 37 in March, would have been a free agent after this season. The deal includes a $30 million club option for 2028, which would keep him with the Braves through his age-39 season. Sale has been dominant since joining the Braves in 2024, winning the Cy Young that year and making the All-Star team again in 2025 despite missing time with fractured ribs.

  • Sale is entering his third season with the Braves in 2026.
  • He won the Cy Young award in 2024 and made the All-Star team again in 2025.
  • Sale turns 37 years old at the end of March 2026.

The players

Chris Sale

A 36-year-old left-handed pitcher who has been a nine-time MLB All-Star and won the Cy Young award in 2024 with the Braves.

Atlanta Braves

The Major League Baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia that has signed Chris Sale to a contract extension.

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What they’re saying

“We must keep our top pitchers healthy and in Atlanta if we want to compete in the NL East. Chris has been a huge part of our success the last two years and we're thrilled to have him under contract for the foreseeable future.”

— Alex Anthopoulos, Braves General Manager (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Braves will look to finalize their 2026 roster around Chris Sale's new contract extension as they aim to defend their NL East division title.

The takeaway

The Braves' decision to extend Chris Sale's contract demonstrates their commitment to building a championship-caliber rotation, even as they navigate injuries to other key starters. Retaining a proven ace like Sale gives them a strong foundation to compete in the NL East for years to come.