The Atlanta Braves are entering the 2025-2026 offseason with a clear need at shortstop. While Mauricio Dubon could take over as the starter, the Braves would like to find a better option.
Bo Bichette doesn't look likely, as his defense is too much of a concern for teams around baseball to stick at shortstop. That leaves Ha-Seong Kim or a trade as the Braves' best options.
Corey Seager of the Texas Rangers could be an interesting option, since the Rangers are reportedly looking to shed money. But, as Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic revealed, the Braves' chances of landing Seager hit a major roadblock.
Braves' chances of trading for Corey Seager hit a major roadblock
"Corey Seager, owed $186 million over the next six years from a Texas club looking to reduce payroll, theoretically could have been an option." Rosenthal and Sammon write. "But according to major-league sources briefed on his contract, the Braves are one of eight teams on Seager's no-trade list."
Atlanta has a dire need at shortstop, and adding a player like Seager would be an incredible upgrade at the position.
But Seager has put in a no-trade clause into his deal, and one of the eight teams he won't accept a trade to is the Braves.
The 31-year-old shortstop has been one of the best shortstops in the game, and would've been an incredible pickup for Atlanta, regardless of the price tag.
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He is a three-time Silver Slugger, two-time World Series champion, five-time All-Star, and two-time World Series MVP.
Seager has missed some time each of the last two seasons, but landing such a player would be well worth it for any team. Not only is Seager clutch, but he is also a consistently impressive player at the plate and in the field.
Atlanta would've been a good landing spot for Seager if the Rangers decided to shed money and trade him for a haul. But his no-trade clause eliminates the Braves from Seager's availability.
The Braves' shortstop of the future won't be Seager, nor will it be Bichette. Atlanta is running out of options at shortstop, as they could be forced to stick with Dubon for the 2026 season.
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