Over the past few offseasons, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos has shown a clear preference for making big moves through trades rather than getting into bidding wars for top free agents. This approach has become his preferred method of acquiring talent during the offseason, and there’s no reason to expect a change this year. If the Braves are targeting a marquee player this winter, the trade market is where fans should keep a close watch.
Garrett Crochet
Fresh off his first All-Star appearance, Garrett Crochet is among the most talented young arms in the game. He has the potential to become a perennial Cy Young candidate, posting a 3.58 ERA, 2.69 FIP, and 12.9 K/9 in his first season as a starting pitcher for the White Sox, who need to cash in on his trade value now while he still has two years remaining on his contract. There’s very little chance Crochet remains with Chicago throughout the winter, and the Braves have a much greater need for rotation help than initially anticipated. Max Fried and Charlie Morton are now free agents, while Spencer Strider will not be ready for Opening Day.
Zac Gallen
Another starting pitcher, Zac Gallen is much more likely to stay with the Diamondbacks compared to some of the other arms on this list. Arizona is in the middle of their competitive window, and Gallen has finished inside the top five of the NL Cy Young race in two of the last three seasons. Trading him away would be a gut punch to their chances next year, but he’s a free agent at the end of the season. If the Diamondbacks begin to feel as if they have no chance of bringing him back, they have to at least consider what they could get for him in a trade.
Ryan Helsley
With Joe Jimenez potentially out for all of next season and A.J. Minter also testing free agency, the Braves have a grave need for at least one more high leverage arm. Ryan Helsley would ease all of those concerns with one swift move. The Cardinals are in the midst of a rebuild and don’t really have a need for a dominant closer that is a pending free agent after next season. Helsley will be moved this offseason.
Luis Robert Jr.
When looking at the long-term status of the Braves outfield, Michael Harris II is the only one that instills confidence. Ronald Acuña Jr. won’t be ready for Opening Day, and even when he does return, his health is a serious concern after undergoing the second ACL surgery of his career. The Braves will be in the market for an outfielder this offseason, and Luis Robert Jr. is the best one available.
Devin Williams
The Brewers, coming off another division title, aren’t quite in the same position as the Cardinals. However, they are likely going to watch Willy Adames leave in free agency and probably don’t want to see the same thing happen with Devin Williams next offseason. That could prompt a trade, and every competitive team should have an interest in Williams, one of the best relief arms in the game.
Wilyer Abreu
At 25, Wilyer Abreu is coming off a breakout season in which he won a Gold Glove, posted a .781 OPS, and achieved a 3.4 WAR. While he isn’t a free agent until 2030, the Red Sox have a crowded outfield, and Bowden suggests they might be open to selling high on Abreu.
“So why would the Red Sox deal a player like that who has five more years of team control,” Bowden writes. “Because they have another young right fielder, 20-year-old Roman Anthony, who is an even better prospect than Abreu. If Boston can put together a trade to land a strong pitcher such as Garrett Crochet, they can afford to move Abreu despite his stellar debut.”
Sonny Gray
The Braves were among the suitors for Sonny Gray last offseason, but he ultimately signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Cardinals. Gray had a solid first season in St. Louis, posting a 3.84 ERA, 3.12 FIP, and 11.0 K/9. However, with the Cardinals entering a rebuild, they may be eager to offload the $60 million remaining on his contract. They’ll likely need to cover some of that salary in a trade, which could make Gray an even more attractive target for a team like the Braves.
Chris Bassitt
At nearly 36 years old, Bassitt is coming off his most challenging season in recent years, posting a 4.18 ERA, 4.08 FIP, and 8.8 K/9 with the Blue Jays. While his numbers don’t quite match the $22 million he’s set to earn in 2025, Bassitt remains a reliable workhorse, with at least 27 starts in each season since 2021. That durability has league-wide value, and Alex Anthopoulos could be interested, especially if the Blue Jays are willing to absorb part of his contract.
Jordan Montgomery
Montgomery held out last offseason in hopes of securing a lucrative long-term deal, but ultimately signed a one-year contract with an option for 2025. His season didn’t go as planned, leading him to exercise his option for next year. The Diamondbacks now face a predicament: keep him and hope a normal offseason helps him rebound, or trade him at a discount. If they choose the latter, Montgomery’s low trade cost and Arizona’s likely willingness to cover a significant portion of his $25 million salary could make him an appealing, low-risk acquisition for the Braves.
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Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
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