The Atlanta Braves front office has made it clear that key pieces expected to help the team win beyond the 2025 season won't be traded. However, if the team continues to struggle at its current rate, there is going to be no choice but to turn the page from expiring deals.
Looking at the biggest names that could be moved, this means Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias could both be headed out the door in the next month of the season. While Ozuna has quickly become a beloved piece of the clubhouse, Iglesias is a piece Atlanta fans would be all too happy to see exit the franchise.
Iglesias was highly thought of until a 2025 season where the veteran's 5.93 ERA was highlighted by the unique ability to fumble away any game. The once-dominating presence on the mound was a welcome sight for opposing hitters. It didn't matter how Iglesias mixed up his pitches; hitters were able to find hard contact and have a great chance of turning a game or building on a lead. All of this has tanked the trade value of a player whom the team still could attempt to move.
Braves Fans Wouldn't Be Sad to See Raisel Iglesias Leave
We are going to know far more about Atlanta's trade deadline approach at the end of this week. A great week, and perhaps we are having a different conversation. However, if things continue to go poorly, the front office owes it to the team's future to trade expiring deals. This means finding whatever you can get for the struggling reliever, even if it is just taking on the remaining portion of the former closer's deal.
A player who was one of the league's best closers just a season ago is now a piece the Braves would gladly part ways with if the season doesn't turn around. Atlanta would be wise to hang onto Iglesias if there is any hope that things might swing in the right direction. There is more value in having Iglesias on the roster in hopes of the veteran turning back the clock than dumping the deal in a trade.
This is the path you take when the season is lost, and you want to attempt to add younger arms to evaluate for the 2026 season. If this is how things play out, the reliever won't be a name Atlanta fans are sorry to see exit after an incredibly frustrating season.