Just when you think the Atlanta Braves might be finding their footing — a series win over the Brewers gives a glimmer of hope — the reality check hits like a fastball up and in.
Atlanta is still nine games under .500, nine games out of the final Wild Card spot, and looking up at six other teams in the National League standings. So yeah, a few wins won’t erase the hole they’ve dug for themselves.
This brings us to the trade deadline, which could get interesting.
Retool, Don’t Rebuild
No, the Braves aren’t expected to launch a full-blown fire sale. This isn’t about blowing it up and starting over. According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, the Braves and fellow underperformers Boston and Texas are expected to “retool,” not retreat. That means looking for deals that help the team now and next year without completely punting on the present.
In other words, don’t expect Atlanta to ship out everything that’s not bolted down. But don’t be shocked if they quietly reshape this roster with 2026 in mind. And the focus is all pitching.
The rotation’s been solid — surprisingly so, considering all the injuries. But the bullpen? That’s where games have slipped away. Boston, Arizona, and San Francisco — three series that could’ve flipped with just one more shutdown inning here or there. Instead, bullpen meltdowns turned potential wins into gut punches. Those are the games that will haunt you in August.
The Ozuna Dilemma
The Braves want bullpen help — but are they willing to part with anyone from their MLB roster to get it? Enter Marcell Ozuna.
The slugger has been productive, no question. But he’s also an unrestricted free agent after this season. If the Braves are fading from contention by late July, keeping Ozuna through the deadline makes little sense — especially when his bat could fetch a return that helps reinforce the bullpen or bring in young pitching with control.
Now, Bowden didn’t mention Ozuna specifically. But you can’t ignore the fit. He’s a veteran middle-of-the-order bat. He’s on an expiring deal. And if Atlanta’s not making a real run, his value to other teams outweighs his value staying in a lineup that’s barely treading water.
The snag? No contender wants to weaken its own bullpen to get him. So the Braves may need to get creative — think three-team trades or prospect-heavy deals — to make a move work.
The Braves Clock Is Ticking
The next six weeks will tell the tale. If the Braves can claw their way back to .500, things change. Maybe you keep Ozuna. Maybe you double down on adding relief help and go for one last postseason push. But if they’re still staring at a deficit in the standings come mid-July, expect the Braves to pivot.
Not a teardown. Not a white flag. But a retool. Strategic, surgical, and forward-looking.
One way or another, this won’t be a cookie-cutter trade deadline for Atlanta. Whether they’re buyers, sellers, or something in between, this team is heading toward a crossroads — and what happens between now and then will define the rest of 2025 and maybe 2026, too.
