Braves Expected To Listen To Trade Offers For $72 Million All-Star: Report
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The Atlanta Braves seemingly entered the season with tremendously high expectations for the season. They were among the favorites to win the National League. But since game one, everything has fallen apart for the Braves.
They're near the bottom of the standings with just over a week to go before the trade deadline. With that in mind, it's important to note the Braves will likely be active sellers for the rest of July.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale recently reported the Braves are expected to listen to trade offers for a lot of their star players, including outfielder Michael Harris II.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 19: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves reacts as he rounds first base after hitting a solo homer in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Truist...
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 19: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves reacts as he rounds first base after hitting a solo homer in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Truist Park on July 19, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. More
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
"Atlanta is expected to listen to trade offers for second baseman Ozzie Albies, center fielder Michael Harris and catcher Sean Murphy, but not until this winter," Nightengale wrote. "They are letting teams know that DH Marcell Ozuna, closer Raisel Iglesias and reliever Pierce Johnson are all available. Ozuna, who has 10-and-5 rights, can veto any trade."
Harris would be an intriguing option if he lands on the trade block.
He's in the midst of a very mediocre season, hitting right around .210 with a 56 OPS+. The only reason he's considered mediocre instead of horrible is because of his solid defense in the outfield.
If the Braves were to trade him right now, it's unclear what his value would be.
At the end of the day, it doesn't make much sense for the Braves to trade Harris right now. They signed him through 2030 for a reason. The front office sees him as a building block for the future. While Atlanta isn't winning right now, Harris should be a piece of the team the next time the team is competitive.
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The hitters hold a meeting to discuss the entire upcoming series before it starts, and then they have another meeting before every game. The hitters meetings typically start on a light note. Moments before it begins, a music video plays on the projector, and the volume is cranked up. Before a recent weekday game, it was 'Shake Ya Tailfeather' by Murphy Lee. 'It keeps guys loose,' Rowson said. 'Get them to easygoing. Part of coming out here every day and going through the grind is having fun. You've got to want to show up every day.' How deep Rowson dives into the opponent depends on what he feels the Yankees need to know. He'll litter his presentations with heat maps, pitch percentages and video clips, but he'll mix in questions designed to get the hitters talking to each other. Advertisement 'A good hitters meeting is not just all the analytical numbers (Rowson) has,' second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. said, 'but hearing from guys who faced (the pitcher) and just speaking on what they see, how the ball moves, the way that guy has attacked guys in the past.' When the meeting finishes, they're free to continue their pregame preparation, which usually includes on-field batting practice approximately 2 1/2 hours before the game. 'Everyone is going to need something different,' Goldschmidt said. 'I may not want or need what Judgey wants or what maybe other guys want.' 'They construct their own plans,' Rowson said. 'Every human takes in information differently. It's about learning what you need. Nobody can take in everything.' For Judge, it's 'just a good opportunity for us to share little things.' He also leans on experience. Entering Friday, Judge had faced 1,013 pitchers over his 10-year career, according to Baseball Reference. He had gotten at least one hit against 567 of them. 'Pretty much anyone we face,' Rice said, 'he's faced before or he's seen someone similar at the minimum. He's usually got something to offer up. It's never anything crazy. He does a good job simplifying, saying something that everyone can digest.' Goldschmidt, who ranks fourth among active players in career hits, said it's 'crazy' to think that Judge can be as good as he is and still actively want to help those around him all the time. 'It's so hard to perform individually, especially at his expectation level,' Goldschmidt said. 'To be able to do it individually, and still be able to impact others around you is another layer that makes it even tougher. He does a really good job of that.' Judge said he gets as much out of the meetings as he gives. He said he likes to lean on Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger — longtime National Leaguers — in particular when the Yankees face NL opponents. Sometimes young players have faced rookie pitchers in the minor leagues, and what they share can change a fellow hitter's at-bat, too. Advertisement Judge also wants to know his teammates' plans at the plate so he can watch their at-bats in real time and provide feedback if he notices something unusual with a swing, or if that hitter strays from his approach. 'Maybe they'll help me recognize a slider a little sooner,' Judge said. 'It goes a long way. Even for me, talking to Goldschmidt, I've seen guys in our division 15 or 20 times. I can throw him a tidbit, tell him that I'm trying to eliminate a certain pitch and focus on these two (pitches), or to focus on a certain zone.' And sometimes, talking to Judge leaves teammates smiling and shaking their heads. Of course, it might be easy for Judge to take certain information and immediately use it on the field. But for mere mortals? 'It's pretty funny,' Escarra said. 'He's so talented. I can be thinking the same things and getting different results. But it's cool being in the same room and talking hitting with him.' (Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic. Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
