Braves trade rumor links them to 36 home run hitter for Mike Yastrzemski reason

The Atlanta Braves are a true World Series contender, despite being in the same league as the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

As long as Ronald Acuna Jr. is healthy and Matt Olson is slugging home runs, the Braves have a chance. That being said, it wouldn't hurt for the NL East club to make a couple of moves at this year's trade deadline. 

Mike Axisa of CBS Sports notes that one area they could look to improve is in the outfield. 

"The Braves could get involved to protect against Dominic Smith cooling down and Mike Yastrzemski fully launching," Axisa wrote about the Braves potentially targeting a corner outfielder from the Baltimore Orioles. 

That outfielder would be slugger Taylor Ward, who hit 36 home runs with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025 but has connected for just two with the Orioles following an offseason trade involving right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. 

"The O's can't seem to build any momentum to get back into the postseason race," Axisa added. "Ward will be in demand, and trading him quickly could become a no-brainer." 

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Despite the lack of power, Ward has hit 15 doubles and has drawn a walk in 19.6% of his plate apperances this season, which places him in the 99th percentile amongst qualified Major League hitters. 

More runners on base are never a bad thing, especially when Acuna and Olson are strolling to the plate. 

Ward would be a good fit in Atlanta, especially if Yastrzemski cannot improve his .715 OPS at the plate. 

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