Chris Sale has arguably been the best pitcher on the Atlanta Braves since he was acquired during the 2023-24 offseason. He will be staying in Atlanta for at least one more year.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Wednesday that the Braves are exercising Sale’s 2026 team option. He will make $18 million in the upcoming season.

Sale has been stellar during his two seasons in Atlanta. He has posted a 2.46 ERA and a 1.035 WHIP over 303.1 innings, striking out 390 batters with 71 walks. Sale was named to the All-Star Game in both seasons with the Braves and won the 2024 NL Cy Young award as he became one of 22 pitchers to win the pitching Triple Crown.

Atlanta Braves buy time to decide their future with Chris Sale

By picking up Sale’s option, they have their staff ace locked in for one more year. That gives the Braves time to evaluate Sale at the beginning of the 2026 season to determine whether or not they want to sign the future Hall of Famer to another extension.

There would be several risks involved with a possible extension. Sale has battled injuries, including Tommy John surgery that cost him the truncated 2020 season, and has not made 30 starts since 2017. He will turn 37 years old just after Opening Day, making an extension an even more difficult proposition.

Sale, meanwhile, has not displayed any signs of slowing down. He remains one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy, a top-of-the-rotation starter that any contending team would covet. If Sale continues to hold off Father Time, he may be staying in Atlanta beyond 2026.