3 trades Braves must make this offseason after early playoff exit

The Atlanta Braves have too much talent to keep watching their seasons end before they can make another serious run at a World Series championship.

After falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, Atlanta must figure out how to turn a talented roster into a team capable of surviving October. Injuries played a major role in the Braves' 2026 season, but there are still weaknesses that president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos needs to address this offseason.

Atlanta does not need to tear everything down. Trading away Ronald Acuna Jr. would be foolish. Instead, three trades could help reshape the roster, create financial flexibility, and give the Braves a better chance of competing with the Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers in 2027.

3 Trades Braves Must Make This Offseason

1. Braves trade catcher Sean Murphy

Drake Baldwin has established himself as Atlanta's catcher of the future, leaving Sean Murphy in a difficult position. Murphy remains a capable player when healthy, but keeping him around as a backup and occasional designated hitter becomes harder to justify when his contract limits the team's financial flexibility.

Murphy has three years remaining on his deal at $15 million per season. That is a substantial commitment for a player who no longer needs to be Atlanta's primary catcher, especially with Baldwin capable of handling the position. Murphy's injury history also complicates matters, potentially making it difficult for the Braves to find a trade partner willing to assume his entire contract.

Atlanta might need to eat some of Murphy's salary to get a deal done. However, that could still be worthwhile if it opens up resources to address more pressing needs. The Braves are close enough to championship contention that finding the right roster upgrades matters more than holding onto an expensive backup simply because moving him is difficult.

2. Braves trade for an everyday left fielder

Atlanta also needs a dependable everyday left fielder who can provide consistent production throughout the season. The Braves have plenty of established talent in the lineup, but they cannot afford to leave a hole in the outfield while trying to keep pace with the National League's best teams.

Rather than relying on another short-term solution, Anthopoulos should explore the trade market for an outfielder with a proven offensive track record and multiple years of team control. That would give Atlanta more stability at a position where consistent production can make a meaningful difference over a full season.

The Braves do not necessarily need another superstar. They need a reliable everyday player who can contribute at the plate, complement the existing lineup, and remain available over the course of a long season. If Atlanta can find the right trade partner, this should be one of its offseason priorities.

3. Braves trade for a starting pitcher with ace potential

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This would be the most difficult trade to complete, but it could also make the biggest difference in October. Atlanta already has elite starting pitching when everyone is healthy, yet that qualification has become a problem.

Chris Sale remains an ace, but the 37-year-old cannot be expected to anchor the rotation indefinitely. Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach have the talent to become Cy Young contenders, but both have dealt with major injuries. Strider's workload will be limited in 2027, according to Anthopoulos. Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle is a free agent who should be a priority to bring back after his impressive finish to the season.

Even if Atlanta re-signs Mahle, another high-end starter would provide valuable insurance and give the Braves more options in a postseason series. The Dodgers and Brewers have demonstrated how important pitching depth becomes when every game carries enormous consequences. Atlanta needs more than two or three reliable arms to survive October.

A rotation featuring Sale, Schwellenbach, a frontline starter acquired via trade, Mahle, and Strider would give the Braves a strong foundation, assuming everyone is healthy. That is a difficult standard to reach, but championship aspirations require aggressive decisions.

The Braves do not need a complete rebuild. They need to make calculated moves that address their biggest weaknesses. Trading Murphy, upgrading left field, and acquiring another potential ace would give Atlanta a clearer path back to the World Series.