Who would’ve thought, entering the season, that the Atlanta Braves would be playing this type of baseball? After getting swept by the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend, it’s almost tough to justify the Braves not selling at the deadline.
Unfortunately, Atlanta now sits at 39-50 and is 13.5 games back in the National League East. 2-8 in the last 10 games, the Braves haven’t done anything of significance, and it might be better to sell for the future.
However, despite how poorly the team has played and the potential return they could get on one of the best players in Major League Baseball, the Braves don’t plan to consider trading Ronald Acuna Jr., a decision that makes plenty of sense, despite where they stand.
“Atlanta has zero interest in trading Ronald Acuña Jr. Acuña is earning $17 million a year through 2026, and Atlanta has club options for $17 million in 2027 and 2028,” wrote USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “He’s not going anywhere.”
Should the Braves Be Sellers?
While trading Acuna wouldn’t make much sense, others have suggested that the Atlanta Braves could move some of their other top players.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com recently looked at a few players who could be dealt, naming star second baseman Ozzie Albies as a potential option. Albies hasn’t played well this season, hitting .222 with six home runs and 28 RBIs, but there have been parts of his career when he’s been one of the better second basemen in baseball, and that was evident during 2021 and 2023 when he earned two of his three All-Star nods.
“Remember when everybody said the Braves got a steal when Albies signed a seven-year $35 million deal in April 2019 that includes $7 million options for the 2026 and ‘27 seasons,” Bowman wrote. “Well, even with a $4 million buyout, there’s strong reason to argue the option shouldn’t be exercised next year. Albies’ .613 OPS ranks 151th out of 157 qualified players this season and he ranks 35th out of 46 qualified second basemen with a minus-one outs above average.
“If medical personnel are confident Albies’ offensive struggles are a lingering effect of last year’s left wrist injury and next year will be different, then there might be reason to exercise the option. But if not, why not try to get something for him now?”
Would the Braves Actually Look to Acquire More Talent at the Deadline?
It was reported by Jim Bowden of The Athletic a few weeks ago that the team might not only refrain from selling, but also consider buying.
It remains uncertain if the plans have changed over the past three weeks, given the Braves’ recent stretch, but it’s telling that they didn’t believe that they were going to sell then. Regarding an Acuna trade, if that’s how they felt just three weeks ago, as others have touched on, there’s no chance they’re moving on from the MVP.
“After subpar starts, the Braves, (Boston) Red Sox and (Texas) Rangers don’t appear to be postseason teams this year, but most in the industry believe they will make trades to try to improve their respective rosters for the rest of this season and next rather than being typical sellers,” wrote Bowden. “The Braves will focus on acquiring more pitching (starting and relieving).”
