There may not have been a more disappointing team in 2025 than the Atlanta Braves.
After years of division titles, postseason runs, and the 2021 World Series championship, the Braves were once again an early exit in 2024. The club had lost premiere players in Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr. to season-ending injuries and were just trying to get through the end of a rough season.
They made the playoffs on the final day of the season but were swiftly handled by the San Diego Padres.
2025 was a chance for Atlanta to bounce back. They would recover their injured talent and take one of baseball’s best rosters into a fresh season. That fresh season quickly saw the Braves start 0-7, one of the worst records through seven games in league history.
Atlanta would go on to finish 76-86, which was good for fourth place in the National League East. This was their lowest finish in the division since 2015. At season’s end, the club mutually agreed to move on from manager Brian Snitker, transferring him into an advisory role with the organization.
Coming up short
With a fresh start heading into 2026, the Atlanta Braves have a chance to get back on track. They still have a deep lineup, one consisting of Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley. Rookie sensation Drake Baldwin might be on his way to winning the National League Rookie of the Year.
The rotation looks to be just as strong as it was in years past as well. Chris Sale will return to the club in 2026 after the Braves exercised his club option for the upcoming season. Strider will be a season removed from his torn UCL, and young star Spencer Schwellenbach is expected to take another step forward.
The one area of need for the Braves will be shortstop. The club has been unable to replace the void left by Dansby Swanson after he joined the Chicago Cubs in free agency.
Atlanta had the worst production offensively from their shortstop position in baseball this past season. Mostly held down by Nick Allen, the Braves had a combined fWar of 1.1 this season. Without any strong internal options, Atlanta will likely have to find their next shortstop in an offseason deal.
Options
If the Braves are looking to sign a shortstop, their options are far from ideal.
Bo Bichette is the only shortstop in the free agent market that could be deemed a splash. Bichette, however, is likely past his days playing shortstop and projects to transition to second base for his next team.
Other options include Miguel Rojas, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ha-Seong Kim. Kim spent the end of this past season with the Braves but declined his player option for 2026.
The trade market is far more likely to yield a strong return. Ezequiel Tovar of the Colorado Rockies is an interesting option to monitor. The 24-year-old has spent four seasons in the big leagues and has a long-term contract with Colorado. While he is seen as the franchise cornerstone, a new front office group is set to take over in the Mile High City.
Tovar could be the caliber of player that would get the Braves and other teams interested if offered. Here is where Atlanta could get creative. To limit a return package for Tovar, the club can offer to take Kris Bryant off Colorado’s hands.
While taking the remaining 81 million dollars off the Rockies’ payroll would be a tall task, Bryant could slot into Marcell Ozuna‘s DH role in 2026. A healthy KB is one that baseball has not seen in quite some time. However, a restart with a club like the Braves could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Potential Trade:
Atlanta Braves: SS Ezequiel Tovar and DH Kris Bryant (Colorado retains 30% of contract).
Colorado Rockies: Owen Murphy (Braves’ 8th ranked prospect).
Whether or not the Braves call up the Rockies, they will have to be creative to fix their shortstop problem next season. If Atlanta can land a quality option, they will once again be back in the World Series hunt.
Photograph by Tim Gouw
Matt Watson Media 
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