Cubs Get a Definite ‘No’ on Potential Blockbuster With Rumored Target

The Chicago Cubs received some bad news on a potential trade target that could have made their rotation unstoppable. Given their 33-39 record, most assumed the Atlanta Braves would be sellers at the trade deadline. This might still be true; however, their ace is not up for grabs. According to Braves' GM Alex Anthopoulos, Chris Sale is going nowhere, and in no uncertain terms. When asked about trading Chris Sale, he had this to say: 

“No, zero. I’ve seen the speculation. It’s completely ridiculous to me. We are not selling, especially someone that has club control beyond the current year,” he said. “Will not happen. I never make definitive statements unless I’m going to stick to them. Once you make definitive statements and then you go back on them, you’re a liar and you’re done.

“Will. Not. Happen. Bold, italicize it, caps. So much so that I’m trying to make a trade now — it’s very hard to make a trade in June — just to signal to everybody that we will not sell. (If) you get to the end of July and things are completely changed, I guess we would reevaluate, but you’d have to be extreme. We’re built to win. Our expectations are to win. Our expectations are to go for it the entire time.”