Going into the deadline, the writing was on the wall. The Braves, buried almost 20 games below .500, showed all the signs of a seller: aging veterans on expiring deals, a bullpen in shambles, and a season quickly circling the drain. Yet instead of cashing in, the team held onto almost everything, including underperforming closer Raisel Iglesias and the struggling $54 million DH. Only reliever Rafael Montero was moved, in what can best be described as a procedural shuffle instead of a meaningful move.
It did not take long for Braves President Alex Anthopoulos to address the issue. “Generally speaking, when it comes to trades, if we thought there was a trade where we were getting some value back that we liked, we would have made a trade or two or three or four,” he said. “That didn’t present itself. Our goal in this Deadline was to try to get some form of help for 2026 and beyond.” Translation? The management has effectively punted on 2025. The approach is clear—this season is a wash.
The decision not to move the $54 million DH, Marcell Ozuna—who has posted a .600 OPS since June 1—adds salt to the wound. Although the star had 10-and-5 veto rights, Anthopoulos noted that trade talks never progressed far enough to ask him to waive them. That fact alone speaks volumes. Ozuna’s sharp offensive drop-off, combined with his lingering off-field baggage—including a prior domestic violence suspension and a DUI arrest—has effectively limited his appeal across MLB.
That is exactly why his future is now in serious doubt. Ozuna has owed more than $5 million for the remainder of this season, and with his performance also trending downward, it is tough to envision any team taking a gamble on him in free agency—at least not without a solid discount and a non-guaranteed deal. He is also ineligible for a qualifying offer, meaning the Braves cannot recoup a draft pick when he walks.
In short, he is stuck in a twilight zone: too costly and controversial to move, too unproductive to retain, and unlikely to generate interest once he hits the open market. For a star once signed to be a centerpiece, this trade deadline could have sealed Ozuna’s exit without a single return. Anthopoulos’ review made it clear the team has mentally checked out of the 2025 race, but one current move tells a slightly more intricate story—and fans haven’t missed it.
Bullpen shuffle adds to confusion as Braves’ deadline message contradicts actions
Just hours before the deadline closed, the Braves acquired reliever Tyler Kinley from the Rockies. He is a pitcher with a 5.66 ERA on the season and eight seasons of big-league experience under his belt. On paper, it looked like a last-ditch approach to plug a leaky bullpen. However, dig a little deeper, and the trade highlights mixed messaging. Kinley’s deal contains a $5 million club option for 2026, suggesting that the management could view him as more than just a 2025 Band-Aid. With the post-June data (2.37 ERA and 31.1 percent strikeout rate), there is reason to think the Braves see untapped value.
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The issue? It flies in the face of everything else the Braves did—or did not do—this week. If the plan was to get ready for 2026, why give up Austin Smith, a controllable pitching star showing promise after recovering from Tommy John surgery? This was not a blockbuster; however, it was enough to confuse fans who watched the team pass on trading expiring deals like Iglesias. The DFA of Enyel De Los Santos, who had a 4.53 ERA, adds to the sense that the team is reacting on the fly instead of following a clear blueprint.
As the dust settles, fans are left wondering: Are the Braves building toward the future, or is the team just buying time? Their actions do not look to match their statement, and it’s that contradiction that continues to erode trust in the front office.
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