Jason Burgos
The Atlanta Braves are unlikely to trade top star Ronald Acuna Jr. However, a top MLB analyst recently shed light on what the club could get if they chose to make a bold paradigm shift trade.
Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is on pace to go down as one of the greatest players in a franchise that has had many MLB legends wear their uniform. He is a four-time All-Star, was the Rookie of the Year in 2018, and earned NL MVP honors two years ago. But more importantly, he helped lead the club to its most recent World Series victory.
Related: MLB insider proposes Atlanta Braves trade Ronald Acuna Jr. for Juan Soto-like haul
Even after two ACL tears, the 27-year-old has returned to the field in 2025 and is again playing at an elite level. He is a player that should finish his career in Atlanta. Especially since he has an extremely team-friendly contract through 2028, however, his beat up knees seem like a ticking timebomb. And despite his best efforts, they are nearly 10 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the NL.
The Braves have remained an elite franchise by not living in their feelings and always being forward thinkers. It is why some have speculated that Atlanta might consider an Acuna Jr. trade soon. To rebuild their farm system and pass on the injury bombs in his legs. But what kind of return could they get in a blockbuster trade?
Ronald Acuna stats (2025): .336 AVG, .454 OBP, .601 SLG, 1.055 OPS, 11 HR, 20 RBI, 36 R
Well, this week ESPN MLB expert David Shoenfield took a deep dive into some potential trade packages. Specifically from the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays.
One trade idea would see the Braves send the team great to Milwaukee for SS Jesus Made, SS Luis Pena, OF Sal Frelick, RHP Logan Henderson, and RHP Abner Uribe. Frelick and Uribe have already shown at the big league level their long term potential. However, he biggest get may be Made. He is the Brewers’ top prospect and is ranked as the eighth best on MLB.com’s top 100.
A deal with Seattle could see Atlanta get SS Colt Emerson, RHP Bryce Miller, C Harry Ford, OF Lazaro Montes, and LHP Brandyn Garcia. Emerson (18th in MLB) and Montes (29th in MLB) are the Mariners top two prospects right now. Ford and Garcia are among their 15 best. And Miller is a rock-solid big league starter with upside.
Finally, a trade with the Rays would get the Braves SS Carson Willliams, RHP Shane Baz, OF Theo Gillen, RHP Yoniel Curet, and RHP Brody Hopkins. The stars of this deal are Williams and Gillen, the top two players in Tampa’s system. They are also among the top 70 on MLB.com.
So, if the Atlanta Braves did move on from Acuna Jr., they would get the top two prospects from any interested team’s system, or a trio of top 100 players along with some young MLB talent.
Related: Atlanta Braves GM addresses MLB rumors of Chris Sale trade, being sellers at trade deadline
