With the MLB trade deadline a little more than two months away, trade rumors are already starting to heat up, and it’s reasonable to expect the Atlanta Braves to be aggressive in their pursuit of another deep postseason run. Atlanta already boasts one of the strongest and most balanced rosters in baseball, but the deadline gives contenders a chance to elevate from elite to nearly unstoppable.
Even with the Braves playing at a high level and receiving strong production from their starting rotation, they’ll still face intense competition from other top National League teams throughout the second half. In a recent piece for FanSided, MLB writer Wynston Wilcox suggested that Atlanta should target Eduardo Rodriguez from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rodriguez has gotten off to an impressive start this season and is currently playing under a four-year, $80 million contract.
Here is why Wilcox believes this could be a good pickup for the Braves:
“Rodriguez is hoisting a 2.24 ERA, one of the many career stats to this point for Rodriguez. If he keeps up the hot streak, he’ll be well on his way to a career season. The Braves should want in on that if they can. As reliable as he’s been, if the Braves want to be serious contenders and challenge the Dodgers, this is the type of move it would take. ”
That phrase, “if the Braves want to challenge the Dodgers,” might be one that Braves fans are tired of hearing by the time the season is over. Atlanta has been able to keep pace with Los Angeles for the entire season, and with the Braves’ strong pitching staff, there’s nothing that indicates the Braves are going anywhere.
However, these recent trade rumors are a result of winning at such a high clip, but that doesn’t mean the Braves should necessarily make a rash trade like that of the Diamondbacks southpaw starter.
Eduardo Rodriguez posted a 5.02 ERA over 150+ innings in 2025, and another 5+ ERA in 50 innings in ’24, so while he’s having a great start to the season, there could be negative regression in store for the future.
Atlanta Braves Plan at MLB Trade Deadline
There have been no formal reports on what (or what not) the plan is for the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline, but it’s something the organization is probably thinking about internally.
My thought is that the Braves’ biggest needs include another corner outfielder (left field/DH hybrid player), and another leverage left-handed reliever.
Starting pitching help is always warranted, but Atlanta has a plethora of capable arms and may not want to dip into its farm system to pull off a trade for an expensive arm or a rental addition.
