The Atlanta Braves are looking to have a big offseason. The teams' front offices need to get back to their savvy ways by making meaningful trades and signing key free agents.
Is there a world where the Braves trade away star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr.? When Atlanta was enduring one of its worst seasons in several years last season, there were slight murmurs that the team may consider trading away Acuña, given how depleted the farm system is.
MLB news update: Braves trade prediction lands 3X all-star to fill huge positional need
Mariners eye Braves star Acuña Jr. In trade rumor
In a recent 'pitching unpopular MLB offseason trades' piece by Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer, the Braves should trade Ronald Acuña Jr.:
"'Who Says No?' Trade Proposal: Seattle Mariners get RF Ronald Acuña Jr.; Atlanta Braves get RHP Logan Gilbert, RF Lazaro Montes (Mariners No. 2)"
The Seattle Mariners have a top farm system in MLB, and this could be a great opportunity to land an affordable star like Acuña Jr. To give them the best outfield in baseball officially. After all, Seattle may lose Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor to free agency this offseason.
MLB updates: Braves' Ha-Seong Kim makes contract decision ahead of MLB free agency
Acuña has torn his ACL twice in recent seasons, and he's set to be a free agent after this season. However, once he returned from injury this season, he was a highly productive hitter. In 95 games, he hit.290 with 21 home runs, and an OPS+ of 163.
The reason this trade idea is thrown out is because of the Braves' desperate need for prospects. After 2021, when Atlanta won the World Series, its farm system has been unable to rebound and it's resulting in a loss of leverage in trade talks and a lack of depth on the team's roster.
It's hard to imagine the Braves actually trade Acuña Jr., but the next question would be, will they pay him what he deserves in free agency? Which is going to have to be a huge contract.
Additional MLB updates:
Atlanta Braves named as 'top suitor' for Blue Jays' Bo Bichette
Phillies trade prediction lands J.T. Realmuto's replacement with Orioles' 2X all-star
Two Yankees free agents not featured in recent 2026 roster projection