The 6 sellers, and what they can offer the Braves in a trade

Due to the expanded playoffs and the miserably weak American League, the number of teams guaranteed to sell ahead of the trade deadline is smaller than ever. MLB insider and former GM Jim Bowden has it at just six right now, which he discussed on the latest episode of GM Territory. Here’s the list and what each team could potentially offer to help address the Braves’ multitude of needs.

San Francisco Giants

Best Fits: Robbie Ray, Jung Hoo Lee

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At 41-55 in the much more competitive National League, there’s no debate about whether the Giants are selling, and they have a couple of pieces that could really interest the Braves.

Robbie Ray is a rental, and Alex Anthopoulos typically isn’t keen on giving up worthwhile prospects for a few months of production, but beggars can’t be choosers. Ray will be one of the best pitchers moved at this year’s trade deadline, boasting a 3.38 ERA — a number that’s continued to improve in recent weeks. Over his last eight starts, he’s 5-0 with a 1.88 ERA.

Lee could offer an upgrade in the outfield. He’s a tremendous contact bat that’s hitting over .300, but he doesn’t offer much pop, and the fact that he’s left-handed won’t be as attractive to the Braves. It’s an option, but Lee certainly won’t be at the top of the list.

New York Mets

Best Fits: Clay Holmes, Freddy Peralta, A.J. Minter

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I have a hard time believing the Mets would be willing to play ball with the Braves at the deadline, but Alex Anthopoulos is at least going to make some calls.

Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta would both be massive upgrades to the rotation, though each comes with concerns. Holmes is recovering from a fractured fibula and isn’t expected back until August. Peralta, on the other hand, is amid a career-worst season and is a rental. I don’t see the Mets getting a ton in return for either, but the upside alone will attract a number of suitors in this market.

The familiarity between the Braves and Minter makes him an obvious fit, especially given Atlanta’s need for another high leverage left-handed reliever. He’s amid a tremendous bounce-back campaign, recording a 1.42 ERA over 19 appearances after suffering a season-ending injury a year ago. It’s unfortunate he’s playing for the Mets, because a reunion makes way too much sense.

Cincinnati Reds

Best Fits: Spencer Steer, Eugenio Suarez

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The Reds don’t have a ton to offer, but Steer is the kind of right-handed outfield bat teams will be targeting at this year’s deadline because of the scarcity. He’s not an All-Star by any means, but he’s posted a respectable .755 OPS since the start of the 2023 season, including a .749 mark this year. It wouldn’t be the worst idea for the Braves to pair someone like him with Mike Yastrzemski.

Suarez is the definition of a lottery ticket. He’s amid a miserable year, hitting just .208 with 11 home runs and a .672 OPS. However, he had 49 home runs in 2025 and 30 the year before that. The Braves need another right-handed power bat that can serve as a designated hitter, and it doesn’t hurt that Suarez can play third base in case Riley continues to struggle. Given the likely cost in prospect capital, he might be worth taking a flier on.

Colorado Rockies

Best Fits: Mickey Moniak

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Moniak is having a solid year for the Rockies, hitting .278 with 15 homers and a .900 OPS, and he comes with another year of team control. However, it’s hard to gauge how much of it is real improvement and how much is a product of playing half his games at Coors Field. The splits would suggest it’s mostly the ballpark, as he owns just a .667 OPS on the road this season.

Kansas City Royals

Best Fits: Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Lane Thomas

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The Royals, one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season, might want to hang on to starting pitchers Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo, both of whom are under team control through 2027. But in this kind of seller’s market, it may make more sense to cash in once they start hearing offers.

Wacha might not be an ace, but he’s a workhorse more than capable of starting a playoff game. He leads the American League in innings pitched, recording a 3.77 ERA over 119.2 innings. Lugo hasn’t been nearly as effective — a 4.56 ERA over 104.2 innings — but he’s a decent mid-rotation starter who will eat innings. He’s also pitched as both a starter and reliever, which could give the Braves options come the postseason.

Lane Thomas is a name Braves fans should be familiar with from his time with the Nationals. He’s cut from a similar cloth as Spencer Steer — nothing sexy, but a right-handed bat that owns a career .727 OPS and shouldn’t cost much to acquire.

Los Angeles Angels

Best Fits: Jose Soriano, Reid Detmers, Jo Adell

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Of all the for-sure sellers, the Angels offer the most intriguing group. Jose Soriano would fit wonderfully behind Chris Sale in the rotation, and he’s not a free agent until 2029. The same can be said for Reid Detmers, only he reaches free agency after next season.

In the outfield, Jo Adell will attract a lot of suitors because of his extra year of team control and his upside. He’s a former 10th overall pick who hit 37 homers in a breakout year last season but has never quite been able to put it all together. Perhaps a change of scenery could do him wonders — I’d expect the Braves to call on him.

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(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)