Would the Atlanta Braves consider trading Ronald Acuña Jr.? Almost definitely not, but this ESPN writer has a destination in mind.
The idea of Ronald Acuña Jr. being traded still doesn't make a ton of sense for the Atlanta Braves. Okay, it actually makes close to zero.
Acuña isn't just fantastic, the face of the current Braves, and under team control for the next three-and-a-half years. He's also underpaid for a star of his caliber, and will make just $17 million in each of those seasons.
But with the Braves floundering this season, any and all trade ideas seem to be on the table from a hypothetical perspective. Even if the Braves won't trade anyone under contract for 2026 and beyond, there are those who will say they could, and maybe even should.
ESPN's David Schoenfield doesn't think Acuña is getting traded either, but that didn't stop him from proposing a hypothetical blockbuster that would ship the five-time All-Star to the Seattle Mariners.
In Schoenfield's mock trade, the Mariners would give Atlanta shortstop prospect Colt Emerson, starting pitcher Bryce Miller, catching prospect Harry Ford, outfield prospect Lazaro Montes, and pitching prospect Brandyn Garcia.
"For the Mariners, Acuña would fit nicely at the top of the order or hitting second in front of Raleigh, allowing them to slide Julio Rodriguez lower in the lineup -- and maybe Acuña's presence would also help take some pressure off Rodriguez," Schoenfield wrote.
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"Most importantly: Acuña's salary is a realistic fit even for the Mariners, who don't like to spend. And despite giving up three excellent prospects and a young starting pitcher, their farm system would remain strong. Plus, they have the No. 3 pick in this year's draft."
The idea of the Braves completely pressing the reset button is hard to fathom, but this is how they'd have to do it. Trade Acuña, trade Chris Sale, get what they can for Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies, and set a goal date of competing in 2027 or 2028.
Of course, the Braves are probably much too proud to do that, and there's still a realistic chance their current roster could rebound and contend next year. That's why this whole premise will likely remain purely hypothetical.
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