The Atlanta Braves opened free agency with a trade to bolster their depth on the defensive side of the ball. On Wednesday night, the Braves traded shortstop Nick Allen to the Houston Astros in exchange for elite utility defender Mauricio Dubon.
Dubon, 31, has experience playing in every position on defense, so Atlanta will look to use him that way in 2026.
Now, without Nick Allen, the Braves still don't have an everyday shortstop. Although Dubon can play at that spot, they will continue to shop for someone to play in the middle of the infield.
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Braves will continue to shop for a shortstop after trading for Mauricio Dubon
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon provide more information on the Braves' plans this offseason, saying, "Dubón’s versatility allows the Braves to explore such options while also protecting them against injuries to Ozzie Albies at second and Austin Riley at third. Ideally, they will still land a top shortstop. But with Dubón, they’re at least better positioned to move forward without one."
The two insiders pitched multiple names that could be a shortstop candidate for the Braves. The Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams or the Colorado Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar could be traded for. Still, Abrams, with the three remaining years of club control, and Tovar's $54 million remaining over the next five seasons, with a $23 million mutual option in 2031, may be overvalued.
Atlanta's pursuit for a new shortstop may run into the 2026 season as well, so we will see what first-year manager Walt Weiss and general manager Alex Anthopoulos will attempt to put together in the coming months.
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