The “seller” label has officially been slapped on the Atlanta Braves. This isn’t just speculation anymore. It’s real, it’s happening, and it’s got names attached to it per MLB insider.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Braves are in full seller mode heading into the July 31 trade deadline, and they’re not stopping there — this could carry into the winter months as well. And leading the charge out the door? A trio of veterans: Marcell Ozuna, Raisel Iglesias, and Pierce Johnson — all said to be “available”.
The Ozuna Era Winding Down
Let’s start with Ozuna. We’ve talked about it before — he’s not the bat he used to be, and his production over the last couple of months has cratered. He’s got 10-5 rights and can veto any trade he doesn’t like, but it’s hard to imagine him fighting to stay in a role that’s already being reduced. The problem? His value isn’t what it used to be.
The same goes for Iglesias, once considered a top-tier closer but now dragging around a dip in performance that’s tanked his trade value. Pierce Johnson is having a solid year, but even he’s more of a secondary bullpen piece at this point.
That’s why the Braves are in “now-or-never” mode. These guys are free agents after this season — if Atlanta doesn’t move them by the deadline, they’ll likely walk for nothing.
Bigger Names Could Be on the Table This Offseason
The names don’t stop there. Nightengale also reports that the Braves will “listen to trade offers” this offseason on Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, and Sean Murphy. Yeah, let that sink in. That’s three core players from what was once viewed as the franchise’s long-term foundation.
Of those three, Murphy’s stock is skyrocketing. He’s mashing this year, with a .517 slugging percentage and 16 homers in 62 games. He’s locked up at $15 million a year through the end of the decade, and if you’re a contender in need of a catcher with power and leadership, that deal starts to look really good.
Harris and Albies? Not so much. Both are having the worst seasons of their careers, and that’s not hyperbole. The Braves are likely banking on a second-half bounce-back to drive up trade value — because at the moment, the phones aren’t exactly ringing off the hook.
If Albies doesn’t rebound, Atlanta could even decline his club option — just $7 million next year, with a $4 million buyout. That’s not a huge swing financially, but it’d be a huge symbolic move for a guy who was once the face of this franchise’s youth movement.
It’s Not a Braves Fire Sale — But It Is a Reset
Before you start sounding the rebuild alarm, let’s clear something up: this isn’t a tear-it-down-to-the-studs moment. The Braves aren’t gutting the whole roster. Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley — they’re not going anywhere. But this is a reset. It’s a shakeup. And it’s one that could define the next five years of Braves baseball.
With the team underperforming and core veterans fading, the front office is looking for flexibility, youth, and long-term clarity. And yeah, some fan favorites could be on the chopping block to make that happen.
So circle July 31 at 6 p.m. on the calendar — the MLB Trade Deadline isn’t just a checkpoint for the Braves anymore. It’s the start of what could be a full-blown roster transformation.
