Atlanta Braves Could Move Bryce Elder, Sean Murphy, and AJ Smith-Shawver Before 2026 Season

The Atlanta Braves have been one of Major League Baseball’s busiest teams this offseason, aggressively re-signing key pieces while adding surprise acquisitions to bolster their roster. Among the notable signings is former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez, who is expected to solidify Atlanta’s bullpen.

With free agency winding down and Spring Training just around the corner, many fans may assume the Braves’ roster decisions are complete. However, the organization is far from finished. The Braves’ front office has made it clear that this offseason is about addressing weaknesses exposed during their first losing season since 2017. This leaves room for additional trades and signings, including moves that could impact three specific players: Bryce Elder, Sean Murphy, and AJ Smith-Shawver.

1. Bryce Elder: Trade Candidate or Minor League Depth?

Bryce Elder has struggled to establish himself as a reliable starter for Atlanta, and this offseason’s moves make it increasingly clear that the Braves may be ready to part ways with the right-hander.

Why Elder Might Be Expendable

Atlanta has spent much of the offseason rebuilding its bullpen and reinforcing health in its pitching staff. Reports indicate that the Braves are actively in the mix for Freddy Peralta, a move that would significantly alter the team’s rotation. Acquiring Peralta could:

• Push Grant Holmes and Reynaldo Lopez into bullpen roles

• Eliminate Elder’s potential role as a long reliever or rotational depth

Coupled with Elder’s upwards-of-five ERA in 2025, there is little incentive for the Braves to retain him on the Major League roster.

Trade Potential

Elder’s cheap contract is a key reason he remains with the organization, allowing Atlanta to stash him in the minor leagues if necessary. However, he is an ideal candidate for a trade, either as a throw-in to facilitate a deal or as a primary piece for a rebuilding team seeking innings from a low-cost starter.

Even if Elder remains with the Braves, it is unlikely he will see MLB action on Opening Day, making him a prime asset for teams in need of affordable pitching depth.

2. Sean Murphy: Could Atlanta Look to Clear Salary Space?

Catcher Sean Murphy is another player whose future with the Braves could be in question. As Atlanta’s payroll continues to climb in 2026, management may explore cost-saving measures, including the possibility of trading Murphy.

Why Murphy Might Be Traded

Although Drake Baldwin is the more enticing trade chip, Murphy’s declining offensive performance combined with a $15 million salary makes him a candidate for the move. The catcher has struggled at the plate:

• .199 batting average in 2024

• .193 batting average in 2025

• Has not reached the Mendoza Line in two straight seasons

Despite offensive struggles, Murphy maintains high defensive value and a strong past track record, which could make him attractive to other teams.

Trade Considerations

Trading Murphy could serve multiple purposes for the Braves:

• Financial flexibility to free up payroll for other offseason acquisitions

• Clarifying the starting role at catcher, especially if the team wants to promote younger options or rely on Baldwin

A move involving Murphy could come as part of a blockbuster trade to address positional needs or simply as a means to manage Atlanta’s rising payroll. While the Braves likely want to retain defensive talent behind the plate, Murphy is clearly on the trade radar.

3. AJ Smith-Shawver: High-Upside Prospect With Trade Value

AJ Smith-Shawver represents a different scenario. Unlike Elder or Murphy, Smith-Shawver is a prospect with significant upside, but injuries and timing could make him a tradeable asset.

Injury Concerns

Smith-Shawver showed promise early in the 2025 season before a season-ending injury required Tommy John surgery, putting his availability for 2026 in serious question. With the Braves focused on contending immediately, a pitcher who cannot contribute early in the season may become expendable.

Trade Value Despite Injury

Despite missing significant time, Smith-Shawver’s pre-injury performance and projected potential give him considerable trade value. Teams in need of pitching prospects may view him as a high-upside asset, especially in packages for established MLB talent.

Atlanta could leverage Smith-Shawver in a blockbuster trade, acquiring proven contributors to fill gaps created by offseason departures or underperforming players. While Braves fans would ideally like to see him return to the rotation, management’s current strategy favors proven, ready-to-contribute players over long-term potential that may not materialize immediately.

Braves’ Offseason Strategy: Chasing Contenders

The 2026 offseason reflects the Braves’ clear intention: close the gap between themselves and top National League contenders. This philosophy drives their willingness to explore trades involving:

• Veteran players who are underperforming or costly (Murphy)

• Mid-tier pitchers who may not contribute at the MLB level immediately (Elder, Smith-Shawver)

Atlanta’s front office has shown it is not afraid to prioritize short-term competitiveness over long-term developmental projects. This approach mirrors the trend seen in contending organizations league-wide, where high-cost, high-upside prospects may be used as trade currency to accelerate a team’s championship window.

Opening Day Implications

Based on current moves, here’s how things could shape up for Opening Day 2026:

• Bryce Elder: Likely out via trade or minor league depth; not expected on MLB roster

• Sean Murphy: Potential trade candidate, especially if Braves prioritize salary flexibility

• AJ Smith-Shawver: Could be dealt in a trade package for immediate contributors, despite high upside

By making these moves, Atlanta positions itself to maximize immediate talent while reducing uncertainty among players who may not contribute meaningfully in the short term.

Conclusion: Braves Balancing Risk, Salary, and Immediate Contention

The Atlanta Braves’ offseason moves clearly demonstrate a focus on winning now, rather than betting on question marks. Each of the three players—Elder, Murphy, and Smith-Shawver—represents a different type of risk:

1. Elder: Inconsistent starter, low-cost, easy trade candidate

2. Murphy: Veteran catcher with defensive upside but declining offense and a $15 million salary

3. Smith-Shawver: High-upside prospect recovering from Tommy John surgery, with uncertain 2026 availability

The Braves are likely to use these players strategically, either moving them in trades for proven talent or shuffling them to minor league assignments to free roster spots. For fans, this means more roster changes may be coming before Spring Training begins, as Atlanta continues to chase contention in the National League.