The Atlanta Braves agreed to a $27 million contract extension with starting pitcher Chris Sale on Tuesday. Sale's deal is for 2027 and it also includes a club option for 2028. While the focus of the deal is obviously on Sale, will the extension make an impact on Spencer Strider?

It wasn't long ago that Strider was looked at as the future ace of the ball club. He was an All-Star in 2023 and finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting. After missing most of 2024 due to injury, Strider looked like a completely different pitcher during the 2025 campaign. 

The right-handed hurler finished last year with a 4.45 ERA in his 23 starts on the mound. He simply never found a rhythm in his return from injury. 

So, returning to the original question, will Sale's extension have an impact on Strider?

The Braves committed $27 million to Sale for the 2027 season. He also has a $30 million club option for 2028. Strider, meanwhile, is under team control through 2028 and has a club option for 2029. He is currently making $22 million.

Atlanta is not known for spending big in free agency. The Braves often sign players to team-friendly extensions. If they are unable to come to an agreement on an extension, Atlanta has been willing to let players walk in free agency. 

The Braves are set to pay Sale a lot of money in 2027. They also may pay him a lot of money in 2028. One has to wonder if Atlanta will consider giving Strider another contract extension as a result. If he bounces back and performs well, it may certainly become a conversation. 

In all reality, though, if Strider would have pitched well last year, it possibly could have been him having contract extension talks. Now, one has to wonder if Atlanta would consider trading him in a couple of years.

In the end, this is all only speculation. It may be unfair to say that the Braves chose Sale over Strider. After all, both starters remain in the rotation. There are plenty of pitching staffs around MLB that feature multiple ace-caliber pitchers.

Chris Sale is the clear ace in Atlanta at 36 years old, however, while it appeared a few years ago that Spencer Strider was on track to take over ace duties with the Braves.