The Atlanta Braves may be having a rough season, but they aren’t sitting on their hands as the trade deadline approaches. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Braves have acquired right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a prospect.
It’s not a blockbuster deal, but it’s the kind of subtle move that could give the Braves some flexibility—not just for the rest of 2025, but possibly into 2026 as well.
Why Kinley For Atlanta?
At first glance, Kinley’s 5.66 ERA doesn’t jump off the page—in a good way. But beneath the surface, the advanced metrics tell a different story. His strikeout and walk rates suggest a pitcher who’s been better than the box scores show, and that’s what Atlanta’s front office is banking on.
The Braves, currently 45–61 and stuck in fourth place in the NL East, are in evaluation mode. They’re using the remainder of the season to reshape the roster, test depth, and look for value plays. Kinley fits that model: a veteran arm with upside, experience, and club control beyond 2025.
The $5 million team option for 2026 is no small factor here. If Kinley shows signs of his former self—the one who posted a 0.75 ERA in 2022 before elbow surgery—the Braves may have landed a quality reliever at a bargain price for next year.
A Braves Bullpen in Need of Reinforcements
The Braves’ bullpen has been inconsistent all season, and with so many starters on the injured list, relievers have carried an outsized burden. Adding Kinley gives manager Brian Snitker another option to work with, especially from the right side.
Whether Kinley finds a groove or simply eats innings down the stretch, the risk is minimal—and the potential value is real.
For a Braves team that entered the year with postseason expectations, 2025 has been an exercise in humility. Injuries, underperformance, and a patchwork rotation have pushed them far from playoff contention. But deals like this one show the front office is still looking for building blocks and reclamation projects—both for the present and for what comes next.
And if Kinley can channel even a fraction of his pre-injury form, Atlanta may have just bought low on a valuable late-inning piece.
