As the Atlanta Braves prepare for the 2025 season, there’s just one position on the field that remains uncertain.
Despite making the 2023 National League All-Star team, starting shortstop Orlando Arcia has been in jeopardy of losing his spot for a while. Coming off one of the worst offensive seasons in baseball the previous year, Arcia is likely on shaky ground heading into spring training.
Fortunately for Arcia, the Braves haven’t made any moves to replace him through signings or trades this winter, and their internal options remain limited. However, there’s still time for Atlanta to pull off one of their signature surprise blockbuster deals before Opening Day.
If the Braves are feeling bold, they could target one of the league’s riskier contracts from an NL rival looking to unload salary.
Zachary D. Rymer highlighted San Diego Padres shortstop as an unlikely but plausible trade target before the 2025 season, naming the Braves as the top team that should pursue the four-time All-Star.
“It’s a real ‘Good luck with that…’ idea,” Rymer wrote. “While Bogaerts has plenty of name recognition, he’s coming off a 1.2-rWAR season, and his 11-year, $280 million contract still has nine years remaining.”
“But if trading for Bogaerts is essentially buying a prospect, it could make sense. And if any contender should pick up the phone, it’s the shortstop-needy Braves.”
Bogaerts, 32, earned all four of his All-Star selections and won five Silver Slugger Awards with the Boston Red Sox. The Padres stunned many with their massive contract offer two winters ago, and now, with the team struggling to stay under the luxury tax, that deal looks less favorable.
Still, Bogaerts has posted a 106 OPS+ during his injury-shortened time with the Padres and owns a .289/.352/.451 career slash line. Additionally, he wouldn’t be the first veteran to find a resurgence in Atlanta if the Braves and Padres can come to terms on a mutually beneficial deal.
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