The Braves have bigger roster questions than most teams this offseason, but none looms larger than shortstop. Since Dansby Swanson departed for the Cubs, Atlanta has cycled through stopgaps without finding a real answer at one of the sport’s most important positions. Orlando Arcia looked like he might be the solution early on, then faded hard, and the years since have been a patchwork of temporary fixes.
That’s why any possible opening for a long-term upgrade deserves attention. Atlanta does have some shortstop prospects in the system, and one alternative would be to bring back Mauricio Dubon, hand him the job for a year, and reassess later. With this offseason’s free-agent market, the Braves would not be passing up much if they chose patience.
But a new name has surfaced that could change the conversation. According to a report from The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey, the Red Sox considered moving top shortstop prospect Franklin Arias at last year’s deadline. Arias, if truly available, would be exactly the kind of target the Braves should pursue.
Among the many questions the Red Sox must answer this winter is when to promote top prospect, shortstop Franklin Arias next year and what it means for Trevor Story.
Digging into the issue https://t.co/PvcojrVToB
- Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) October 20, 2026
Arias checks a lot of boxes for Atlanta. He hits, he covers shortstop well, and even if his power jump in 2026 might be a little optimistic, he still drives the ball with authority. Just as important, he would come with plenty of team control since he has not reached the majors yet.
The catch is that a previous mention in trade discussions does not automatically mean Boston would actually deal him now. McCaffrey’s report also said the Red Sox ultimately chose not to trade Arias, which could point to a club that wants to keep him badly. And the kind of player it would probably take to pry him loose - young, controllable, productive - is the exact type of asset Atlanta may be reluctant to surrender.
That makes a clean fit unlikely. If the Red Sox were willing to trade Arias straight up for Austin Riley, that would be fantasy.
Still, there is reason to at least check in. The Braves and Red Sox have dealt with each other recently, both teams are trying to improve for next season, and Boston may not be eager to suffer another uneven-looking trade with Atlanta after how one-sided the Chris Sale deal wound up.
Even with all that in mind, the basic takeaway is simple: if Franklin Arias is truly on the market, the Braves should be in the mix right away, even if a deal feels like a long shot.
In Other News...
Braves Have A Shortstop Decision That Could Bring Back A Familiar Fit
Mauricio Dubn became a useful late-season answer for the Braves after arriving from Houston in the Nick Allen trade, giving Atlanta the kind of defensive versatility teams always seem to value when the stretch run gets tight. The two-time Gold Glove winner fit a need almost immediately, shuffling around the infield before settling in as the starting shortstop down the stretch and bringing a steady glove to a position the Braves have been sorting through.
Now the question is whether that short-term solution turns into something longer. Dubns defense and clubhouse value have given Atlanta reason to think about keeping him around, and there is at least some sense that a reunion could make sense if the price is right. For a Braves team that likes flexibility and reliability, the offseason decision at shortstop could end up being about more than just filling one spot on the lineup card. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Could Turn One Bad Contract Into A Risky Upgrade
The Braves are still weighing ways to reshape their roster, and one speculative idea floating around would turn Jurickson Profars contract into a chance to land a more proven bat. The framework is simple enough on paper: Atlanta would be trying to convert a shaky financial commitment into a player with a stronger recent track record, while also looking for a better fit in the middle of the lineup.
Teoscar Hernndez is the name attached to that conversation, but any move of that size would come with obvious risk and a cost beyond salary. Even if the Braves found a willing partner, the deal would not be a clean one, since it would likely take more than just swapping contracts to get it done and there is still no indication either club is actually close. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Face A Costly Mauricio Dubon Decision They May Not Like
Mauricio Dubon has put the Braves in a familiar offseason spot, weighing fit against cost at a position where stability matters. His versatility has value across the roster, but Atlantas interest appears tied to a more specific need as the club looks ahead and tries to sort out its infield plans.
The complication is that the market rarely prices a player like Dubon as a simple utility piece, especially when teams see a dependable defender who can move around the diamond. For the Braves, the question is whether they can keep him in the fold without bidding against a free-agent market that may treat him as something more than an extra glove. [Read more 🡒]