Playing GM: 4 Moves To Complete the Braves’ Roster for 2026

Baseball fans, rejoice. The calendar has flipped to 2026 and with it comes renewed optimism for the Atlanta Braves. There is no need to dwell on the disappointment that defined the 2025 season. Instead, the focus now shifts forward, with pitchers and catchers set to report in just one month.

The Braves have been noticeably more active this offseason than they were this time last year. Alex Anthopoulos reshaped the back end of the bullpen by re-signing Raisel Iglesias and Tyler Kinley, while also adding former Padres closer Robert Suarez.

On the offensive side, Atlanta acquired Mauricio Dubon in a trade for Nick Allen and signed both Ha-Seong Kim and Mike Yastrzemski in free agency.

That plan hit an early speed bump when Kim underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger after falling on ice in Korea, sidelining him for four to five months. In response, the Braves brought in Jorge Mateo to provide shortstop depth until Kim returns.

On a recent episode of The Just Baseball Show, Aram Leighton and Peter Appel stepped into the role of Alex Anthopoulos and discussed potential moves that could complete the Braves’ roster.

They presented three potential trades to address a clear need in the starting rotation and one sneaky free agent signing. As the conversation sparks plenty of debate within Braves Country, let’s take a closer look at the routes the Braves could take.

Potential Trade #1: Acquire Freddy Peralta

• Braves Receive: RHP Freddy Peralta
• Brewers Receive: RHP JR Ritchie, IF Alex Lodise, RHP Jhancarlos Lara

The biggest remaining hole Aram and Peter identified was one more starting pitcher. While the Braves rotation has plenty of upside, it also carries significant risk.

Between Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, and Hurston Waldrep, this group could realistically combine for 700 innings or be derailed by injuries once again.

Rather than targeting a league-average arm or another reclamation project, the idea here is simple: Acquire a pitcher they would be willing to hand the ball to in a World Series game without hesitation.

Freddy Peralta fits that description. Coming off an excellent age-29 season, Peralta posted a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.075 WHIP. Over his career, the two-time All-Star owns a 3.59 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, and he has made at least 30 starts in each of the past three seasons. That durability alone makes him especially appealing for Atlanta.

Peralta is entering the final year of his contract with Milwaukee, and the Brewers have made it clear that he is available. Adding a pitcher of his caliber to an already talented rotation would give the Braves one of the best starting rotations in baseball.

Knowing how Anthopoulos operates, any deal would almost certainly hinge on Peralta agreeing to an extension. That may be the biggest obstacle, as he could prefer to test free agency and invite interest from larger market teams.

From Milwaukee’s perspective, this is a package worth considering. The centerpiece is JR Ritchie, Just Baseball’s No. 94 overall prospect. According to Aram, Ritchie may have the highest floor of any pitching prospect in the minors and could step into a big league rotation today.

Alex Lodise, Atlanta’s second-round pick in last year’s draft, finished his college career at Florida State as a top three Golden Spikes finalist. Jhancarlos Lara, signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic, averages 98.6 mph with his fastball and projects as a future bullpen weapon if his command continues to improve.

Milwaukee has a strong track record of player development, and this trio could help the Brewers accelerate their next competitive window. For Atlanta, the prospect cost would sting, but this is the type of bold move that signals a commitment to winning now.

Potential Trade #2: Acquire José Berríos

• Braves Receive: RHP José Berríos and Cash
• Blue Jays Receive: LHP Aaron Bummer, RHP Garrett Baumann, OF Isaiah Drake

Aram really did get in his bag for this mock trade. I want to make sure he gets his credit.

Berríos may not carry the same upside as Peralta, but he offers something Atlanta clearly needs: reliability.

In five seasons with Toronto, Berríos has gone 53-39 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has also made at least 30 starts in each of the past four seasons, providing the kind of consistency the Braves rotation currently lacks.

The concern lies in his contract. After the 2026 season, Berríos holds a two-year, $48 million player option. To account for that risk, Aram suggested adding a contingency in which Toronto sends cash to Atlanta if Berríos exercises the option.

Moving Aaron Bummer would immediately free up $9 million in salary. While left handed relievers are always in demand, Bummer’s production may not fully match his contract.

Garrett Baumann, a former fourth-round prep pick, is a 6-foot-8 right-hander who fills the strike zone and could develop into a back-end starter. Isaiah Drake, the younger brother of former NFL running back Kenyan Drake, brings 70-grade speed and improving power at still just 20 years old.

Berríos might not generate the same excitement as a blockbuster acquisition, but he would fit seamlessly into Atlanta’s rotation. At nearly 32 years old, a change of scenery could help him stabilize the middle of the staff and continue his solid, decade-long career.

Potential Trade #3: Acquire Mitch Keller

• Braves Receive: RHP Mitch Keller
• Pirates Receive: C Sean Murphy

Peter may have cooked with this one.

One-for-one trades are rare, but they do happen, as we saw earlier this offseason between the Mets and Rangers. The logic here is fairly straightforward.

With the emergence of Rookie of the Year catcher Drake Baldwin, Sean Murphy has become more expendable than he was a year ago. While Atlanta would need to address backup catcher depth, the return would be a highly sought after durable starting pitcher.

Mitch Keller owns a 4.51 career ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over seven seasons in Pittsburgh. However, his FIP has been lower than his ERA in each of the past five seasons, suggesting he has suffered from poor luck. Like the other pitchers discussed, Keller has made at least 30 starts in four straight years.

Pittsburgh has a surplus of young arms, making Keller a reasonable trade candidate. He is under contract for three more with an escalating salary of $16.9, $18.4, and $20.4 million, respectively, which adds value but also some risk.

For the Pirates, Murphy would immediately become one of the best hitters in their lineup. Despite playing only 94 games last season, he still produced 2.0 fWAR. Over a full season, he profiles as at least a three-win catcher. Beyond the bat, Murphy would provide leadership and defensive stability for a rotation with an average age around 25.

Murphy has three years of control remaining at $15 million per season, plus a club option for his age-34 year. Pittsburgh might have to add some cash for some financial offset, but that alone would not be a deal breaker. While it is unlikely either team pulls the trigger, it is the type of trade that makes you stop and think.

4. Sign Free-Agent Outfielder Austin Hays to a One-Year, $5.5 Million Deal

Austin Hays was the lone free-agent addition suggested on the show. With Ronald Acuña Jr, Michael Harris II, Jurickson Profar, and Mike Yastrzemski likely handling most of the outfield playing time, Hays would slot in as the short side of a platoon with Yastrzemski.

While his overall numbers are solid, his production against left-handed pitching stands out. Pairing him with Yastrzemski would create strong value in aggregate and give Atlanta flexibility late in games.

This would not be a splashy signing, but it would complete the roster. Walt Weiss would have daily options to optimize both offense and defense, and Hays fits comfortably within the Braves budget.

Aram floated a one-year, $5.5 million deal. He would join previous players like Ramon Laureano, Sam Hillard, and Nicky Lopez who enjoyed rebound stints in Atlanta.

Final Thoughts

The main challenge with trading for Peralta or Berríos is the possibility of losing them to free agency after the 2026 season. Trading significant prospect capital for a short-term rental is rarely Atlanta’s approach. If an extension can be worked out, however, both moves become far more compelling.

After two frustrating seasons, it is important not to lose sight of how talented this roster still is. Much of the core is locked in for several more years, but health is never guaranteed.

If the Braves have an opportunity to push their chips in, they should take it. This is a team built to contend, and with the right finishing touches, it is more than capable of competing for a World Series title.

Peter said it best: “This team can win the World Series. They absolutely can.”