Early Trade Drama: What Will the Braves Do?

With the July 31st MLB trade deadline drawing near, the Atlanta Braves are at a crossroads. Will they try to strengthen the roster for a playoff push, or shift gears and trade away veterans to focus on what's ahead?

Still in the Hunt

The Braves entered 2025 with high hopes, but almost everything has gone wrong. Injuries have hit the team hard. Still, despite a 27-33 record, the Braves are only a few games out of a playoff spot.

Now that stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider are back from injury, fans are hopeful the team can turn things around and make a playoff push. If the Braves choose to buy at the deadline, a few trade targets could help boost their chances.

One option is Orioles closer Félix Bautista. Baltimore has been one of the biggest disappointments this season and could be looking to sell. Bautista has had a few tough outings lately, but he's been a lights-out reliever for most of his career. Other than the injury that kept him out in 2024, he’s been healthy and reliable. So far this year, he has a strong 2.77 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 13 innings. If the Braves want to fix their bullpen, Bautista would be a big upgrade.

Another name to watch is starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara, the former NL Cy Young winner. His comeback from elbow surgery hasn’t gone smoothly. He’s 2-4 with an 8.42 ERA in seven starts. Still, many MLB executives think he’s just shaking off the rust and will improve as the season goes on. With AJ Smith-Shawver recently sidelined by injury, adding a veteran starter like Alcantara could be the spark the Braves need down the stretch.

Trade Candidates to Watch

If Atlanta decides to step back this season and look ahead to the future, they still have valuable players they could move. The most likely trade chips are Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias. Both are on expiring contracts and could be attractive to contenders.

Marcell Ozuna, a three-time All-Star, might not be the power hitter he once was, but he's still producing at the plate. He’s batting .278 and getting on base at a career-best rate, with a .428 on-base percentage. That means he’s drawing more walks and finding more ways to help his team score. At 34, he’s better suited for a DH role, which makes him a strong fit for teams in need of a consistent, veteran bat.

Raisel Iglesias, 35, had a brilliant 2024 season with a 1.94 ERA and 24 saves. He showed he could still dominate in high-pressure situations. This year has been a struggle, though. He has a 5.91 ERA and has not looked sharp. Still, some teams might believe they can help him get back on track. For a contender needing bullpen help, he could be a smart short-term gamble, especially since he’s in the final year of his deal.

Even if the Braves trade one or both of these players, it doesn’t mean they’re giving up long-term. They still have a strong core and young talent, and they’ll likely look to bounce back in 2026.

So, what will the Braves do? The next two months will show whether they’re ready to chase a playoff spot or if it’s time to regroup and plan for the future. Either way, big decisions are coming in Atlanta.