The Atlanta Braves possess many of the qualities that often translate to postseason success. Despite a sluggish June, they rank fifth in Major League Baseball in home runs, showcasing their ability to generate offense with the long ball. Their bullpen has also emerged as one of the league’s strongest, and it could become even more formidable if Robert Suarez returns in the near future. Meanwhile, reigning ace Chris Sale has anchored the starting rotation with another outstanding campaign.
Even with one of baseball’s top records, however, Atlanta still has several clear areas that need improvement before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. As the deadline rapidly approaches, the front office will have an opportunity to address those weaknesses in hopes of strengthening the club for a deep postseason run.
With that in mind, here are three players—or perhaps four—who could help fill the Braves’ biggest needs before the trade deadline.
Kevin Gausman
As the situation currently stands, it’s still unclear whether the Toronto Blue Jays—who came within striking distance of the World Series last season—will become sellers as they continue to lose ground in the American League East. If they ultimately decide to move veteran players, the Atlanta Braves could have an opportunity to reunite with familiar face Kevin Gausman.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos is expected to have several starting pitching options available before the trade deadline, but Gausman stands out as one of the most appealing. His combination of affordability relative to other top arms, familiarity with the Braves organization, proven durability, and consistent production makes him an intriguing candidate. Adding him alongside Chris Sale would give Atlanta one of the strongest one-two pitching combinations in baseball.
Although Gausman’s first stint with the Braves from 2018 to 2019 failed to live up to expectations, he has transformed into one of the game’s premier starters since departing Atlanta. Since the beginning of the 2022 season, he ranks among the league’s top pitchers, posting a 3.60 ERA and an even more impressive 3.21 FIP while ranking fourth in pitcher WAR during that span.
Just as importantly, Gausman has been remarkably dependable, making 145 starts over the past several seasons and consistently taking the ball every fifth day. He also brings valuable postseason experience, including an impressive performance for Toronto during last year’s playoff run. A reunion would not only strengthen Atlanta’s rotation for the remainder of the regular season but could also provide the Braves with another frontline starter capable of sharing the workload with Sale during what they hope will be a deep October run.
Gausman will be a free agent at the end of 2026. I’ll believe Alex Anthopoulos unloads the top of the farm system when he actually does it — he’s been hyper cautious moving prospects during his nine year tenure in Atlanta — and the price for Gausman would likely not be astronomical as someone with a few months of control. The veteran righty is owed approximately $8M the rest of the season, a significant amount of coin the Braves can eat.
Gausman hasn’t been quite as good on the surface as he’s been in recent years — a 4.51 ERA won’t make anyone fall out of their chair — but he’s been better than that if you look under the hood (3.67 FIP, 3.79 xFIP, 3.87 xERA as of July 21). His velocity on his fastball and famous splitter are down a tick this season, although his fastball grades out extremely well at Baseball Savant. There’s a lot to like here, even if he hasn’t been quite as good as in previous years. Make it happen, Alex.
Spencer Steer and JJ Bleday
OK, so I’m cheating here. The headline says “three players the Braves should acquire” and I’m listing four. Take me to jail.
The Cincinnati Reds are almost certainly going to sell. They have reportedly already received calls on Spencer Steer, and I’m guessing they will be asked about JJ Bledway, too.
Here’s Steer, the 28-year-old righty who can bounce around the field.
The idea behind Steer is largely for what he can do against left-handed pitching. He is absolutely mashing southpaws this year, hitting .342 with an absurd 184 wRC+. His career numbers are obviously not quite that good — .270 average, 126 wRC+ — but he would represent a massive upgrade in the middle of the lineup against left-handed pitching and can hold his own against righties. The Braves are guaranteed to see good left-handed pitching down the stretch, and they rank 23rd in the league against them with a collective 93 wRC+.
At present, the Braves’ right-handed bench options are Eli White and Joey Bart. Sean Murphy could factor into that equation at some point, although I don’t think you can count on Murphy for anything besides superb defense. Steer would become an outstanding platoon partner with Mike Yastrzemski in left field, provide insurance in the event of another injury to Ronald Acuña Jr. (or another outfielder), becomes an impact bat off the bench when called upon late in games, and makes the Braves infinitely better against left-handed pitching.
As for JJ Bleday, he’s having an even better season in Cincinnati. You may recall he tormented the Braves earlier this year, and he’s kept up the good work outside of a downturn for a few weeks in June. Here are Bleday’s numbers:
The Dominic Smith story was a great one early in the year, but it’s time to move on. Smith has a sub-600 OPS since late April, a real cause for concern as the every day DH on the team against right-handed pitching.
Bleday would provide a significant upgrade over Smith at DH, and he could play a corner outfield spot, too. Adding an outfielder (or two) also nearly guarantees Mauricio Dubon can move to shortstop on a full-time basis. This lineup becomes so much better and deeper with the addition of a lefty and righty bat. Steer and Bleday feel like great fits, and again, neither should cost a fortune.
Robbie Ray
I won’t rehash all the issues with the rotation, but let’s hypothetically say Anthopoulos acquires Gausman. Here’s your rotation:
Chris Sale, Kevin Gausman … Reynaldo Lopez? Grant Holmes? Bryce Elder? Martin Perez? AJ Smith-Shawver? JR Ritchie? Owen Murphy? We just saw Hurston Waldrep go down with another elbow injury, and the reports on Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider aren’t exactly rosy at this point.
That’s not good enough.
Enter Robbie Ray, a pending free agent on a San Francisco Giants team guaranteed to sell. He’s owed approximately $8 million the rest of the way whenever he’s moved.
Ray owns a strong 3.33 ERA but hasn’t been nearly that good with a 4.59 FIP and 4.84 xFIP. He’s been better overall since a disastrous start in Arizona on May 18; since then, Ray owns a 2.41 ERA, 3.87 FIP and 5.05 xFIP. I would imagine teams interested in Ray won’t value him at the low-threes ERA and instead see him as a reliable innings eater to round out a rotation for two months.
