Five Potential Targets for the Braves at 2026 MLB Trade Deadline
Five Potential Targets for the Braves at 2026 MLB Trade Deadline
Atlanta could look to make some big moves this summer.Karl Rasmussen|
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Atlanta BravesMLB Trade Candidate Rankings and Deadline Predictions | Top Prospects Who Could Be Dealt at the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline
Atlanta has enjoyed a terrific start to the 2026 MLB season, owners of the league’s second-best record (48–29) and the top spot in the NL East, where they hold a 6 1/2-game lead over the Phillies. The Braves are back, and they’ll be pushing for a World Series title after missing the postseason altogether last year.
The Braves have battled through injuries to key players yet still find themselves in contention for a championship. Their early success guarantees nothing come October, though, so the front office, which was rather passive during the offseason even after falling short of the playoffs, could look to be aggressive and shore up any potential holes on the roster.
A few areas that come to mind for Atlanta to address are shortstop, left field and starting pitching. In the long term, the Braves have a solid amount of arms, but they’ve dealt with myriad injuries to their pitching staff, and could look to bring in an experienced arm or two at the trade deadline in case of another injury down the line. The shortstop position has mostly been occupied by Ha-Seong Kim—who has struggled to a historic degree—and utilityman Mauricio Dubón, who has also been deployed semi-regularly in left field. The Braves could theoretically target either a left fielder or shortstop, and then make Dubón a regular at whatever position they don’t address at the deadline.
Let’s take a look at four possible targets for the Braves at this year’s trade deadline.
Casey Mize, RHP, Tigers
Casey Mize could be a solid rental addition for the Braves before he hits free agency after this season. The 29-year-old has made 10 starts in 2026, logging a 2.58 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings. He’s surrendered just three home runs all year and his walk rate (2.2 BB/9) is tied for the lowest of his career. A former top prospect and No. 1 pick in 2018, Mize has had a rather inconsistent MLB career, but he’s been excellent in ‘26 and could be an adequate addition to Atlanta’s rotation with the Tigers out of contention. Plus, he’s only on the books for $6.15 million this season, so he’d only cost the Braves around $2 million if they move for him at the end of July.
The Braves have dealt with a multitude of injuries to their pitching rotation, including Spencer Strider, who just returned to the 15-day IL and has made just eight starts this season. Additionally, Spencer Schwellenbach and AJ Smith-Shawver have both missed the entire campaign thus far and aren’t expected to return until later this season, if at all. With so many injuries to the rotation, more pitching depth would be an important addition for Atlanta.
Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins
If the Braves can convince the Marlins to deal Alcantara within the division, he’d be a welcome addition to Atlanta’s rotation. The former Cy Young winner hasn’t had too much success since he missed the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he’s bounced back to some degree this year. Through 16 starts, he owns a 4.18 ERA (3.99 FIP) and has 77 strikeouts across 103 1/3 innings. While he’s no longer a Cy Young-caliber starter, he’s still a reliable arm who can pitch deep into games. Just this season, he’s lasted six-plus innings in 13 of his 16 outings, including a complete game shutout.
At 40–38, the Marlins may not be looking to sell at the deadline. But if the organization decides a World Series run isn’t realistic, they may look to flip Alcantara, who is in the final year of his contract (with a team option for 2027 at a rate of $21 million).
Taylor Ward, LF, Orioles
Ward hasn’t flexed the same level of power at the plate that saw him hit 36 home runs for the Angels last season, but he’s been an on-base machine this year, drawing 64 walks in 78 games. Only Nick Kurtz and Mike Trout have taken more free passes than Ward in all of MLB, and the Orioles outfielder has a career-high .393 OBP. A left fielder with a high walk rate is exactly what the Braves need in their lineup. In fact, Atlanta ranks 19th in MLB with a team OBP of .317, so finding a player who excels at getting on base would be a huge plus. Ward’s counting stats don’t jump off the page (four home runs, 21 RBIs), but he’s hit 23-plus home runs in three of the past four seasons, so he’s certainly capable of hitting for power.
With Dubón splitting time between left field and shortstop, a trade for Ward would enable the Braves to deploy Dubón as their everyday shortstop, adding a bit of consistency for the team on defense as they prepare for a postseason run.
Jarren Duran, LF, Red Sox
The Red Sox have a crowded outfield and Jarren Duran may be the odd man out. With Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Roman Anthony set to man the outfield in Boston for the foreseeable future, Duran could be a viable trade candidate at the deadline, especially considering how poorly the season has gone for the Red Sox. Duran hasn’t played well this year, but he led the American League in triples in each of the previous two seasons, and was outstanding in 2024 when he had 21 home runs, 34 steals and a 9.0 bWAR while earning his lone All-Star appearance.
If he can find his bat again, he could be a valuable addition to the Braves’ outfield, and his arrival would enable Dubón to stay at shortstop, where he’s excelled defensively. Duran would be more than just a rental for the Braves, too, as he’s under team control through the 2028 season. While that will drive his price up, he has the upside to become a key player for Atlanta beyond this season.
Willy Adames, SS, Giants
If the Braves prefer to pursue a shortstop at the deadline, and in turn make Dubón their everyday left fielder, Willy Adames would be a potential target. With the Giants out of contention, it was reported last week by ESPN’s Buster Olney that the team is open to dealing some of its higher-paid players, including Adames. It’d be a significant investment from the Braves as Adames is under contract through the 2031 season and is set to make $31.4 million per season for the duration of the deal. Unless San Francisco would eat some of that money in the trade, it may be difficult to come together.
Adames hasn’t been at his best this season, sporting a career low .686 OPS, but just last year he became the first Giants player to hit 30 home runs in a season since Barry Bonds. He’s hit 30-plus home runs in three of the last four seasons, and he could provide some additional power in the lineup for Atlanta as it sets its sight on a championship run.
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KARL RASMUSSENKarl Rasmussen is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated. A University of Oregon alum who joined SI in February 2023, his work has appeared on 12up and ClutchPoints. Rasmussen is a loyal Tottenham, Jets, Yankees and Ducks fan.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
