Atlanta Braves trade rumors are heating up as a blockbuster deal could pair $13 million ace.
The Atlanta Braves have never been hesitant to make bold, high-impact moves to strengthen their roster for another deep postseason push. As the 2025 MLB season unfolds, a potential blockbuster trade is generating buzz, and it could send shockwaves through the league. Fresh speculation has linked the Braves to San Diego Padres right-hander, a move that would give Atlanta a dominant 1-2 punch atop their rotation alongside Spencer Strider.
The former AL Cy Young finalist, is entering the final year of his contract with the Padres and is owed $13.75 million this season. With the Padres playing in one of the most competitive divisions in baseball and possibly facing a roster reset, he could become one of the most coveted arms on the trade market by the deadline. That’s where the Braves could step in.
Why the Braves Make Sense for Cease
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos has built a reputation for making aggressive, calculated moves that maximize the team’s championship window. With Spencer Strider already anchoring the rotation and Max Fried likely playing his final season in Atlanta, the Braves are in need of a frontline starter to complement their ace beyond 2025. Cease, with his elite strikeout ability and postseason experience, could be the perfect addition.
Already one of the top teams in baseball, the Braves have a strong enough farm system to pull off such a deal without sacrificing their future. Young arms like Hurston Waldrep, AJ Smith-Shawver, or even a mix of MLB-ready talents could be enticing enough for San Diego to consider a trade.
Cease’s Impact on Atlanta’s Rotation
Pairing Cease with Strider would give the Braves one of the most electrifying duos in the league. Strider, who led MLB in strikeouts last season, has become one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers. Cease’s ability to generate swings and misses would be the perfect complement to Strider’s high-velocity arsenal. With Charlie Morton aging and Fried’s future in Atlanta uncertain, adding Cease would not only strengthen the Braves’ rotation for this season but also solidify it for potential deep playoff runs in the years to come.
How a Trade Could Materialize
The Padres aren’t expected to completely dismantle their roster, but if they fall behind the NL West powerhouses (Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks) by midseason, moving Cease could become a logical option. With San Diego’s farm system taking hits in recent years, trading Cease for a package of young, controllable talent from the Braves could help them retool for the future.
While other teams, like the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals, could also be in the market for Cease, Atlanta’s mix of win-now urgency and long-term stability makes them an ideal trade partner. If a deal happens, it could be the game-changer in the Braves’ pursuit of another World Series title.
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