Braves slump sets up opportunity for Blue Jays to acquire star from former Toronto GM

Ever since the Blue Jays hired Ross Atkins as their General Manager, they have yet to make a deal with the organizations former GM Alex Anthopolous. But that could change this season, as the Braves have fallen to 10 games below .500, Toronto should look to snag a star from their old GM.

Ross Atkins should enhance the Blue Jay's postseason odds with a big trade for Chris Sale.

Chris Sale is on the last year of his contract (team option for 2026) and even though he is a Cy Young candidate, Atlanta should be trying to get some prospects out of him. The veteran southpaw should be affordable for Toronto too as their farm system has gotten better over the years.

On the season, Sale has generated a 2.93 ERA with a 2.92 FIP across 73.2 innings. He adds a 11.73 K/9 and a 1.24 WHIP. He has dominated this season and has a chance to start the All-Star game. Acquiring a star like this could really increase the Blue Jays chances of making it to the postseason in 2025 and putting together another solid squad in 2026, assuming they would use that team option to keep him.

Sale fits a big need in Toronto as not only a starter, but a lefty as well. The Blue Jays have gotten a couple solid starts from Eric Lauer, but he is not exactly the most trust worthy choice in crunch time. Sale would completely make this solid rotation a great rotation. Max Scherzer is also on the way back and with the other big three right handers in the rotation, Sale could revamp that mix and make up one of the best rotations in baseball.

The most important part is the cost. For a 36 year old with just a year left on his contract, it may not take very much to convince Atlanta to make a trade. Infielder Josh Kasevich, Toronto's sixth ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, could headline a package as Atlanta does not have a bright future at shortstop right now. He could slide in at the end of the season or be the answer in 2026 and beyond. With him, a lower ranked prospect would probably join him, such as Lazaro Estrada, Toronto's 25th ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline. He is a right handed pitcher who is pretty close to his MLB debut.

The Blue Jays need to land a player like Sale at the deadline and if they can get it done with a package like this then things would like very good for the organization. Maybe the former GM can cut his old team a deal here.