The Atlanta Braves are sitting at 26-30, staring at a reality nobody saw coming. That’s 5 1/2 games out of playoff position in what’s turning into a brutal National League race.
It’s a far cry from where they expected to be. After sneaking into the playoffs last season despite a record number of injuries, the Braves figured good health would carry them toward another World Series run. They’ve still dealt with some injuries this year, but there’s no hiding behind that excuse anymore.
The poor performance is raising questions nobody wanted to ask in spring training. Could Atlanta actually become sellers at the trade deadline?
If that happens, they’d have some intriguing pieces to offer.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller raised the possibility Friday that closer Raisel Iglesias could wind up on the trade block this summer. The 35-year-old is struggling through the final season of his four-year, $58 million deal.
Miller grouped the Braves with “eight other middling teams who could make things mighty interesting by making some of their impending free agents available to the highest bidders.”
“Can’t imagine any of them would be selling if the deadline were today, but plenty of time for that pendulum to swing,” Miller wrote.
Iglesias has been brutal this season. His 5.91 ERA across 22 appearances is almost unrecognizable from the lights-out closer who dominated in 2024.
The numbers tell a story of complete breakdown:
- Giving up 10.4 hits per nine innings (compared to 4.9 last year)
- Home run rate jumped from 1.5% to 7.6%
- Opposing hitters are teeing off on what used to be elite stuff
What makes this particularly tough is how many of these numbers seem like outliers. Iglesias has the track record to turn things around – the question is whether that coincides with a Braves playoff push or becomes attractive to contending teams looking for bullpen help.
From where I’m sitting, a lot depends on the next six weeks. If Atlanta can’t climb back into the race, moving pending free agents like Iglesias starts making sense. Contenders are always willing to pay for proven closers, even ones having down years.
The Braves would much rather see Iglesias return to form while they chase a wild card spot. But if this season continues heading south, they’ll have to consider all options.
