The Atlanta Braves have had an incredibly busy start to the offseason, re-signing key pieces and landing surprise additions. This includes signing former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez, who will look to solidify the back of Atlanta's bullpen. While free agency is starting to wind down and spring training is within sight, it would be foolish to believe that Atlanta's front office is done.
It has been clear from the start that this offseason was going to match the level of desperation that should be found after the team's first losing season since 2017. This leaves the Braves continuing to entertain possible signings and trades, leaving these three players still as pieces who could still find themselves starting spring training in a new uniform.
1. Bryce Elder
Parting ways with the underwhelming starter makes sense as the Braves have spent much of the offseason getting healthy and rebuilding their bullpen. This is a trend that has continued with recent reports making it clear the Braves are in the mix in the trade market for Freddy Peralta. If Atlanta were to acquire the starter, it would bump both Grant Holmes and Reynaldo Lopez into the bullpen, simply leaving zero path for Elder to be used as a long reliever or rotational depth. Add in the fact that Elder finished the 2025 season with an ERA upwards of five, and there simply isn't a reason to entertain a return.
The only reason Elder is still rostered is based on the fact that he is on an incredibly cheap contract that allows the team to have the starter in the minor league system. Still, a trade wouldn't be surprising, using Elder as a throw-in, or sending the right-hander to a rebuilding team looking to eat innings.
Regardless of the reasoning, it is clear that Elder could be easily acquired in a potential trade if the right fit comes along. Even if the pitcher manages to stick with the Braves, he certainly won't be on the Major League roster come Opening Day.
2. Sean Murphy
As the cost of Atlanta's roster continues to mount throughout the 2026 offseason, it is fair to wonder if the team could start to begin cost-saving measures. This includes looking at trading away Murphy at a position where you have two clear starting options. Drake Baldwin is by far the more enticing trade chip, but the Braves would be crazy to consider trading the incredibly talented young backstop. This puts trading Murphy as the clear option if Atlanta both wants to lessen salary space and clear up who will start at the position.
For the Braves, it makes sense not only from a money perspective, with Murphy scheduled to make $15 million for the 2026 season, but also due to declining offensive performance. The catcher has failed to reach the Mendoza line since 2023, hitting .199 and .193 each of the past two years. Still, there is likely a market for the catcher based on past accomplishments and an incredibly high ceiling defensively.
Trading Murphy could be accomplished as part of a blockbuster deal to fill another positional need or simply to free up salary space after an offseason of spending. Regardless, the veteran is clearly a trade consideration moving forward.
3. AJ Smith-Shawver
Everything about Atlanta's 2026 offseason points to a team attempting to close the distance between itself and the National League's top contenders. With this in mind, prospects who don't have a chance to contribute to the team early next season are at least possible trade chips. This includes Smith-Shawver, who was just starting to figure things out at the Major League level before suffering a season-ending injury. The starter had to undergo Tommy John surgery, putting his 2026 season very much into question.
However, there is no debating that the starter still carries incredible trade value based on the ability he flashed at the start of the 2025 season. This opens the door for Atlanta to shop a promising pitcher that is unlikely to make an impact in the upcoming season anyway. It is the best-case scenario in a potential blockbuster deal if the Braves can build a package around Smith-Shawver.
While it would be nice to see the starter be able to get healthy and return to the 2026 rotation, it is clear that Atlanta's front office is done betting on question marks and is chasing proven players. This leaves it a clear possibility that Smith-Shawver could be dealt ahead of the 2026 season.