ATLANTA, GA — The rumor has hit Braves fans like a cold splash of water, suggesting that the team may be pushed into a trade at the Winter Meetings that stings more than any move they’ve considered this offseason. The player whose departure would send a ripple through the clubhouse and the fanbase alike is veteran second baseman, Ozzie Albies.
The most surprising part? Braves President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos (AA) may truly not have a choice, as a perfect storm of needs, market pressure, and a tight roster puzzle has created a scenario that is impossible to ignore.
Why The Braves May Be Forced To Move Albies
While Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley are considered untouchable, the name that keeps resurfacing in trade rumors is Albies. The pain of trading a popular, homegrown player is immense, but the reasons for the potential move are purely situational and logistical:
1. The Roster Logjam and Shortstop Crisis
- The Problem: The Braves’ top priority this offseason is finding a legitimate starting shortstop. However, the free-agent market is thin, and trading for a top shortstop like Bo Bichette would require a massive package of high-end, immediate MLB talent.
- The Trade Chip: Albies, despite a down year in 2025 (89 OPS+, 16 HR in 157 games), still possesses immense trade value due to his incredibly team-friendly, long-term contract. He is controlled through the 2027 season with club options through 2029 for an incredibly low AAV. This team control is gold for an acquiring team.
- The Infield Shuffle: Trading Albies would open up the second base position, which could then be filled by new utility acquisition Mauricio Dubón (who can play second or short). Or, Albies could be the central piece of a package that brings back a shortstop, allowing the Braves to shuffle the new shortstop and Dubón around the middle infield.
2. Maximized Value and Injury Concerns
- The Value: Braves insiders have pointed out that while Albies had a disappointing 2025, his value is still high right now. If he struggles again in 2026, his trade value (and his likelihood of being kept for his options) plummets. Trading him now maximizes the return and helps replenish the farm system.
- The Risk: Since 2022, Albies has dealt with a series of injuries, calling his long-term health into question. Trading him for a controllable frontline starter (like a Joe Ryan or Freddy Peralta, who are rumored trade targets) eliminates the future injury risk while filling the team’s most critical need: Starting Pitching Depth.
The Emotional Weight
Trading Albies—who came up through the system alongside Ronald Acuña Jr. and whose smiles and energy defined the Braves’ winning culture—would be a monumental gut punch.
As one Braves writer noted, “It would certainly suck to see Albies go and it might be the last straw for a lot of Braves fans, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen anyways.” The decision will come down to whether Alex Anthopoulos believes the value gained in pitching or a long-term shortstop outweighs the emotional cost and the risk of Albies returning to his All-Star form.
The question of who it could be has a painful answer, and the Winter Meetings may force AA’s hand.
