The Atlanta Braves face some necessary choices this offseason after one other disappointing ending to their 2026 marketing campaign. A type of choices includes a well-known drawback at shortstop, and a Miami Marlins All-Star has emerged as a prompt answer.
Otto Lopez loved a breakout season in 2026, establishing himself as one in every of baseball’s most efficient shortstops. Now, CBS Sports activities analyst Dayn Perry has floated Atlanta as a doable commerce vacation spot for the 28-year-old.
Perry included Lopez amongst his prime 25 offseason commerce candidates on October 30, itemizing the Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Crimson Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays as potential matches.
The suggestion comes at an fascinating time for Atlanta, which could possibly be trying to find a brand new on a regular basis shortstop after Ha-Seong Kim’s disappointing season.
Kim struggled mightily after signing a one-year, $20 million deal, ending with a .116 batting common and nil house runs.
He has additionally entered free company following the 2026 season.
Lopez would characterize a major improve offensively, although buying him from a division rival may show difficult.
Braves Floated as Commerce Vacation spot for Marlins All-Star Otto Lopez
Perry believes Miami may entertain gives for one in every of its proficient center infielders this offseason, figuring out Lopez and Xavier Edwards as potential commerce candidates.
“The Marlins appear prone to commerce away one in every of their center infielders this winter, both the shortstop Lopez or second baseman Xavier Edwards,” Perry wrote.
The analyst famous that Lopez would seemingly command the bigger return due to his spectacular manufacturing and remaining years of crew management.
Lopez batted .305 with 191 hits, 11 house runs, 71 RBIs and 34 stolen bases throughout the 2026 marketing campaign.
His 191 hits led the Nationwide League, whereas Baseball-Reference credited him with 6.1 wins above alternative.
These numbers helped Lopez earn his first All-Star choice and made him one in every of Miami’s most beneficial gamers.
You will need to word that Perry assigned only a 20% probability of Lopez being traded this offseason, explicitly describing his likelihood estimates as guesses.
Nonetheless, Lopez’s mixture of offensive manufacturing and crew management makes him an intriguing commerce candidate for Atlanta.
Braves Face Troublesome Shortstop Resolution This Offseason
Atlanta’s curiosity in upgrading shortstop would make sense given the crew’s latest struggles on the place.
Kim was introduced again to offer stability in 2026 however did not ship constant offensive manufacturing. Mauricio Dubón additionally noticed substantial time at shortstop, although he’s now eligible without cost company.
Shortstop seems to be a transparent want for a Braves crew that has championship aspirations, particularly with each Kim and Dubón reaching the open market.
Buying Lopez would offer a younger, productive choice who may stay with the group for a number of seasons.
That being mentioned, a commerce would include problems. Miami would presumably demand a considerable return for an All-Star shortstop with three years of remaining management, and buying and selling a cornerstone participant to a division rival could possibly be particularly tough.
Whereas there was no concrete reporting that Atlanta and Miami have mentioned a commerce, that is the sort of aggressive transfer that would assist put the Braves excessive.
For now, Perry’s suggestion gives one doable reply to the Braves’ shortstop dilemma, however whether or not Atlanta pursues the Marlins star stays to be seen.
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