What out-of-contention Braves should do by trade deadline 

The slumping Atlanta Braves are at a crossroads: Should they sell at the July 31 trade deadline?

With an NL East title slipping away, the front office may have no choice but to pivot from contention to retooling. That doesn't mean a full teardown, but it does mean some of Atlanta’s biggest names — outside of outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., 1B Matt Olson, 3B Austin Riley, outfielder Michael Harris II, rookie catcher Drake Baldwin and maybe catcher Sean Murphy — could be on the move.

Veteran DH Marcell Ozuna, lefty Chris Sale and even 2B Ozzie Albies could headline Atlanta players available at the deadline. Ozuna has been red-hot at the plate, which only boosts his value for contending teams. Sale, despite durability questions, has proved he still has the stuff to anchor a playoff rotation. Albies, meanwhile, remains one of baseball’s most consistent second basemen and is on a team-friendly deal.

On Tuesday, ESPN noted Ozuna as the likeliest Brave to be traded, rating the chances as 25 percent. The outlet said the Padres, Mariners, Tigers, Royals, Giants, Guardians and Red Sox are the bet fits for the 13-year veteran.

"Ozuna is a stone-cold DH, playing two games in the field in 2023 as his last regular-season experience defensively. Ozuna is also in a contract year, but his power numbers are down a notch from his standout .302 average and 39-homer performance last season. His on-base percentage remains among the highest of potential trade candidates."

But Atlanta's real goal in selling wouldn't be just to clear payroll — it would be to get younger, deeper, and ready to bounce back in 2026.

They've already seen flashes from Baldwin, and top arms AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep are waiting in the wings. Selling veterans now could net controllable position players or pitching prospects who  help extend the title window beyond the current core.

The Braves also lack a top-tier farm system, and if they aren’t going all-in on a postseason push this year, they can’t afford to stand still. Replenishing the pipeline could be the smartest move, especially with free agency looming for several contributors in 2026 and beyond.

Would it hurt to move on from fan favorites? Absolutely. But with the right deals, Atlanta could build a younger, deeper roster around Acuña, Riley, and Olson — and set the stage for another dominant run.

In 2021, Atlanta turned midseason trades into a World Series title. In 2025, they might need to flip the script — by trading supporting cast not to win now, but to win again later.