TheAtlanta Braves are clearly in the midst of a potential World Series window with a nice mix of veteran and young talent. Still, there are clear needs at the end of 2026, with shortstop, bullpen, and rotation depth sitting at the top of the list. This won't come cheaply, leaving room to wonder if the franchise could open up salary space by moving off of pieces not living up to their current contracts.
Leading us to look at four players who stand out as pieces not living up to their current deals and could be dealt as a potential salary dump if the Braves were giving the opportunity. Starting out with a veteran who should be in left field right now and not suspended yet again.
1. Jurickson Profar- $15 Million
There is no way around Profar's selfish actions, opting to ignore the league's banned substance list in back-to-back years and costing the Braves their left fielder. Profar has had an incredibly frustrating tenure, and there isn't much reason to believe the Braves can put any level of trust that the veteran is going to do the obvious thing and show up ready for the 2027 season. If there is a team willing to take on the expiring deal of Profar, it makes sense to start fresh at the position and bring in a more reliable option.
Profar brings energy to the clubhouse and is the exact type of offensive presence the team is currently missing. However, you cannot excuse making the same mistake in two straight seasons and costing the Braves their best chance to win it all. It is the actions of a selfish player making it far easier to punt away the deal if given the chance.
2. Sean Murphy- $15 Million
Parting ways with Murphy might be a bit more difficult when you consider that it has been three years since the backstop was able to hit above the Mendoza line. You're paying Murphy as if the catcher were a starting option, not one utilized only at the bottom of the lineup to give Drake Baldwin a day off. If the Braves can escape this deal, they would be wise to do so, barring an incredibly hot finish to the 2026 season from Murphy.
This isn't just a one year deal, but one that has two years remaining, making a team willing to take on the challenge likely far more elusive. Still, it makes sense to explore the trade market in hopes of opening up a bit of salary for a more pressing position.
3. Reynaldo Lopez- $8 Million
Lopez hasn't been a viable contributor in each of the past two seasons and struggled out of the bullpen when given the chance to pitch lesser innings. Looking at next season's rotation, you're expected to have Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Spencer Strider all back at full health. Add in Chris Sale, Bryce Elder, and likely Grant Holmes, and there is little reason to sit on a deal that could actually get a bit of value back in return.
The right-hander offered a great performance in the 2023 season, and this might be enough for the Braves to garner some level of value in return. It is at least worth exploring the market for a player who hasn't given confidence as a bullpen option and appears blocked as a potential starting option next season.
4. Mike Yastrzemski- $10 Million
Between Yastrzemski and Profar, you're spending $25 million on left field and have very little stability when it comes to expected production. Shed both contracts and offer a higher-value deal to a free agent or trade target that could prove to be a more consistent answer. It simply doesn't make sense to pay this much and get so little consistency in return.
Yastrzemski and Profar are both on expiring deals, making it very plausible that the Braves could find a way to shed both deals.
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