Braves predicted to trade $7M fan favorite, top prospect for Blue Jays' $131M must have veteran

The Atlanta Braves have been trying to add a starter with playoff experience to their roster this winter. So far, they’ve had little luck, but they were actively checking in on Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. Several teams were vying for his services.

“If the Brewers trade ace Freddy Peralta, they want in return a replacement starter they can slot into their rotation in his place, according to The Athletic. Potential suitors like the Mets, Dodgers and Red Sox would seem to have the ability to part with a younger starter of their own in exchange for Peralta,” CBS Sports’ RJ Anderson wrote.

In the end, it was the New York Mets who won the sweepstakes for Peralta, outbidding the Braves and many other teams.

“The New York Mets' winterlong pursuit of a front-line starting pitcher ended late Wednesday when they acquired All-Star Freddy Peralta, as well as fellow right-hander Tobias Myers, from the Milwaukee Brewers for Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams, two of their top prospects,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo wrote.

Now the Braves must pivot again this offseason. Ideally, they could simply sign a starter, but options are limited in January. Heavy.com’s TJ French believes the Braves could target Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Berrios in a trade.

“However, in this trade idea, the Braves would offload fan favorite Ozzie Albies and shortstop prospect Alex Lodise in return for Jose Berrios. Albies is playing under a club option for the 2026 season worth $7 million, which makes him worthy of being dealt. Albies is a three-time All-Star who has spent his entire career with the Braves, but he’s coming off a couple of down seasons at the plate,” French wrote.

While trading Albies would hurt the organization—he’s been a fan favorite and a clubhouse leader—adding Berrios could be too valuable to pass up for the future of the roster.

The Braves drafted three shortstops in the 2025 MLB Draft, so giving one away wouldn’t be too damaging. After missing out on Bo Bichette, acquiring Berrios at the cost of Albies for a season could be a viable alternative.

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