We are a week away from the trade deadline. The buying and selling teams are starting to become more obvious — and over the next three to four days, we should start seeing some significant trades completed.

The Braves’ needs are obvious. They should be in the market for every frontline starting pitcher available, they need another middle-of-the-order bat, and with concerns surrounding the future of Robert Suarez, another high-leverage reliever has climbed toward the top of the priority list as well.

Given Atlanta has the sort of prospect capital at the trade deadline that they haven’t had in the past, there’s little reason for them not to address each of these in some form or fashion. With that in mind, here’s my trade deadline wish list, featuring a dream trade target for the Braves at every position of need — and I’ve included a backup option, because the reality is they likely aren’t going to go the blockbuster route on three separate occasions.

Starting Pitcher

Dream: Tarik Skubal

Backup: Kevin Gausman

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The Tigers just dropped two out of three over the weekend to the Royals, and the rumblings continue to grow that they’re leaning toward trading Skubal. The Braves have been named a favorite by some MLB insiders, and they’ll certainly be involved in conversations, but most believe a move to Los Angeles is inevitable as the Dodgers aim to become the first National League team to repeat as champions three years in a row.

I’m all aboard the Skubal train, and I haven’t been afraid to shout it from the rooftops for months. If the Braves pair Chris Sale with Skubal at the top of their rotation, they shouldn’t be scared of anybody come October — not even the Dodgers. The rumored prospect capital it would take to acquire him — since he’s a rental — also isn’t that daunting.

Of course, there’s risk. The Braves could trade a solid piece of their future rotation for Skubal and still fall short of winning a championship. But this team needs a true frontline starter, and I’m tired of them wasting opportunities with this core because they’ve been unwilling to acquire one. Plus, by acquiring Skubal, the Braves also deny the Dodgers another generational arm to throw at them in the postseason.

If Skubal isn’t available or goes elsewhere, Gausman isn’t a terrible backup plan. Since he’s on an expiring contract and having a bit of a down year, the prospect cost should be minimal, but he’s still a guy who can be trusted in a playoff setting. There’s familiarity between him and Atlanta, and he was really good for the Blue Jays last year on their run to the World Series.

Outfield

Dream: George Springer

Backup: Heliot Ramos

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I’m very intrigued by the idea of taking a flier on George Springer. He’s another veteran on an expiring contract from Toronto who shouldn’t cost a haul to acquire, and the potential upside is immense.

Springer is hitting just .231 with 11 home runs and a .711 OPS on the season. Perhaps age is finally catching up to him, but he’s only a year removed from posting a .959 OPS, and the results have been much better of late. Over his past 26 games, he’s hitting .286 with an .815 OPS. At the very least, Springer could serve as a platoon piece against left-handed pitching, and he’s been a demon in the postseason, with an .880 OPS for his career.

Heliot Ramos being the backup option is a sign of just how weak the outfield class is at this year’s deadline. Still, he has an .850 OPS for his career against left-handed pitching, and he’s under team control for pennies through 2030.

Bullpen

Dream: Adrian Morejon

Backup: A.J. Minter

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Of course, the ideal dream candidate to address the bullpen would be Mason Miller. But I don’t think the Padres are going to trade him, and if they did, it’s highly unlikely the Braves would give up multiple top-100 prospects for a relief pitcher. That just isn’t Alex Anthopoulos’ M.O.

That said, the Braves could look to San Diego for another one of their relievers — left-handed Adrian Morejón. He’s an elite setup man in the final year of his contract, which makes him much more likely to be traded. Over the past three seasons, Morejón owns a 2.65 ERA over 184 appearances.

As a backup plan, I wouldn’t be opposed to a reunion with A.J. Minter. The injuries have been worrisome, and he’s struggled as of late, but he still owns a 2.18 ERA over 35 appearances since the start of the 2025 campaign. Given he’s also a rental, the prospect cost should be minimal.

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(Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)