5 Atlanta Braves most likely to be traded this offseason

The Atlanta Braves have a number of key players that could be moved in the right deal considering what they each brought.

Any trades the Atlanta Braves make this offseason will be about making a postseason push. Atlanta’s historic 2023 lineup flamed out in the postseason, leaving room to consider making offseason improvements. Atlanta has a great top of the rotation, but with questions about their depth it is possible the team looks at adding a starter or two as well.

Looking at the Braves roster five players stand out as the most likely to be moved in the right deal. While Atlanta won’t be in a hurry to part ways with any of last year’s roster, there are a number of trades that do make sense for both sides.

Keep in mind for a trade to work for the Atlanta Braves it must improve a position, shed unwanted salary, or bring in a veteran piece that can contribute in the postseason.

Atlanta’s season ended for the second straight year in a frustrating fashion to the Phillies, this front office knows a change is needed. Whether it is one or two splashy moves or a myriad of smaller ones, Atlanta fans should expect big changes to be made around their core in the 2023 season. This could start with a player who was a great story and turned into a postseason villain.

1. Orlando Arcia

Looking at Arcia’s numbers and considering his defense, trading the shortstop from the outside looks unlikely. Arcia was impressive early on for the Braves and came up with a number of clutch hits and memorable moments. Taking over for Dansby Swanson was never going to be easy, but clearly Atlanta made the right decision considering the contracts.

So what changed for Atlanta and Arcia? There are two factors here that should have the Braves considering moving on from the veteran utility player. The first is the obvious fact that Arcia’s offense faded down the stretch of the season. His numbers fell off and in the postseason he was a non-factor against a team that challenged him.

The second reason is how Arcia handled the postseason attention and run-in with Bryce Harper. Arcia did nothing wrong with the initial comments. However, refusing to respond to Harper and going silent at the plate but feeling the need to engage with the fans as he did was telling. Atlanta could opt to keep Arcia but they should at the very least be willing to listen on the shortstop and actively search for an upgrade this offseason.

2. Mike Soroka

This move is about giving Soroka a fresh start and a reset, not a potential return which would be minimal for Atlanta. While it is tough to sell low on a pitcher of Soroka’s talent the entire way, the situation was managed last season with the starter is odd. Soroka is healthy but after years of dealing with injuries isn’t yet the ace he once was. It clearly is going to take time for Soroka to rebuild his confidence and to get back to the pitcher he is capable of being.

Atlanta needs a pitcher of his ability, but they lack the rotation spot or patience to allow Soroka to simply figure it out. Atlanta’s choices are clearly either to have Soroka start the season in Triple-A and prove himself or to send the pitcher to a new landing spot and a fresh start.

Cheering for Soroka is easy after what the pitcher has endured. This offseason and whether or not he is traded shouldn’t be business but about what is best for the player. Soroka doesn’t carry a lot of trade value and is going to need the right team to be able to rebound. That’s something Atlanta will take into consideration when weighing his future this offseason.

3. Vaughn Grissom

Grissom is an exciting young hitter who needs to improve his defense to be able to lock down a starting role. Grissom is perhaps the most likely Brave to be traded not due to any faults of his own but just a lack of a natural fit. The only way that Grissom starts for this team is if the Braves are willing to put him in left field and be patient with the defense.

Clearly, despite Arcia’s struggles shortstop is not the position for a player who is going to make his way in the league based on his offensive production. This leaves Grissom as either a left fielder or a bench option. His bat needs to be in a lineup every night and that is why he spent of of the season in the minors last year.

Atlanta could look to build a trade package around Grissom to fix the shortstop, the bottom of the rotation, or the outfield. Regardless of the moves they choose to make, bringing Grissom back would be surprising. Atlanta fans already are expecting the young infielder to be moved before the 2024 season begins.

4. Atlanta’s entire bench unit

Yes, this is somewhat cheating using Atlanta’s entire bench as one player … but the point here remains Atlanta will bring a new bench in the 2024 season. Watching the end of the Phillies series it was obvious the team didn’t have the needed depth when you look at who took Atlanta’s final at-bats with the season on the line.

You can’t fault the manager when he simply doesn’t have any other buttons to push. After an exciting start to the inning, Braves fans were simply left hoping somehow they would find their way back to the top of the lineup. Atlanta’s depth is what carried them to a World Series in 2021 and what they need to look to get back in this year’s offseason moves.

While none of Atlanta’s current bench is likely to garner a return look for them to move on, throwing in current backups as add-ons in potential trades. Already the Braves have moved on from Eddie Rosario and Kevin Pillar is set to hit free agency. This trend should continue as the Braves build completely new roster depth around their impressive core.

5. Marcell Ozuna

Ozuna really was the missing piece for this offense after a dismal start to the 2023 season. Snitker stuck with his veteran and the move paid off with Ozuna’s numbers all rebounding and contributing to a historic offense. So why consider trading the veteran this offseason?

Looking at Ozuna’s career, the one thing that stands out is the inconsistent numbers at the plate. The veteran can produce at an MVP level in some seasons and look pedestrian in others. Ozuna is in the final year of his deal with a club option for the 2025 season.

With the obvious inconsistent production in mind, if you’re the Braves, why not at least explore the market for the veteran? This doesn’t mean you move on without a clear upgrade, but at least get an idea of the potential return and look at who could give you equal or better production.

Ozuna is a big part of this team and moving on from the veteran can’t be done lightly. However, at this stage of his career, it is wise to at least consider making the move with two years left of team control. Atlanta moving off of Ozuna could give them far more roster flexibility as well with the DH spot and big names they could look to bring in.