The Atlanta Braves officially won the Chris Sale trade, the Texas Rangers had to come to terms with Jack Leiter’s struggles, and the Pittsburgh Pirates remained stuck in their usual rut.
The MLB season is now in full swing following the conclusion of the Tokyo Series, where the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Chicago Cubs in a two-game set. The rest of the league opened their season on March 27 with the traditional Opening Day.
In the weeks leading up to Opening Day, several teams scrambled to address major roster gaps. The reigning American League champion New York Yankees added a starting pitcher—though opinions varied on whether they also needed a third baseman. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves signed outfielder Alex Verdugo in free agency to bolster their depth behind Ronald Acuña Jr. However, these were just a few of the key moves shaping the league.
Now that the season has begun, let’s reflect on some of the biggest trade decisions and how they have played out.
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Braves’ Gamble on Chris Sale Proves to Be a Masterstroke
The Atlanta Braves’ front office, led by Alex Anthopoulos, has solidified its reputation for executing brilliant trades that elevate the team’s success. A prime example was their midseason acquisitions in 2021, which helped them secure a World Series title after Ronald Acuña Jr.’s injury.
However, even that move was eclipsed by the deal that brought Chris Sale to Atlanta. The Braves acquired the veteran left-handed pitcher from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for young infielder Vaughn Grissom. At the time, Grissom was considered a promising prospect, but the Braves managed to land an elite arm in return.
Now, with the season underway, the trade has undeniably paid off for Atlanta. Sale has provided much-needed stability to the Braves’ rotation, proving that this deal was one of the most lopsided in recent memory—further cementing Anthopoulos’ l
egacy of winning trades.
