As the second half begins, how aggressive will the Braves be at the Deadline?

ATLANTA -- The Braves need at least one starting pitcher and -- like every other playoff contender -- they will at least peruse the list of available relievers. But even with Ronald Acuña Jr. nearing activation from the injured list, there may be a need to add a bat before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline.

Despite losing 19 of their final 29 games before the All-Star break, the Braves still have a slim advantage atop the National League East standings. But to remain there, they need to address a starting rotation that has been a concern going back to the offseason. The team’s other warts have become more visible as Atlanta’s starting pitchers have produced a 5.24 ERA over the past 48 games.

The good news is the Braves have the financial flexibility and prospect capital necessary to pursue any of the top players available on this year’s trade market. They gained an additional $15 million when Jurickson Profar was given a 162-game suspension for a second positive test for a banned PED substance. As for their farm system, it is as strong as it has been since their 2015-17 rebuild planted the seeds for seven straight playoff appearances (2018-24) and the 2021 World Series title.

There has been talk about the need to add starting pitching going back to the end of the 2025 season. The Braves have since lost four starting pitchers to injuries, with Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider highlighting this list. Strider’s availability for this year seems doubtful and it’s unclear whether Schwellenbach will be available at any point this season.

So, Chris Sale currently stands as Atlanta’s only playoff-caliber starting pitcher. Reynaldo López could improve over the next months and Bryce Elder might eventually turn things around. As for Hurston Waldrep, he has looked rusty since returning from a February procedure to remove debris from his right elbow. AJ Smith-Shawver is another potential internal option. But he, too, carries uncertainty as he returns from right elbow surgery.

The Braves also have some holes in their offense. Dominic Smith looked like a good fit as the designated hitter against right-handed starters. But he has hit .229 with a .603 OPS over 162 plate appearances since the start of May. Drake Baldwin can serve as the DH against some right-handed pitchers. So, adding a left-handed bat might not be necessary, but it may be more valuable than adding another right-handed hitter.

Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos will be challenged as he weighs his options over the next few weeks. But he’s been successful this time of the year. The key addition of Kevin Gausman and Adam Duvall in 2018 had both immediate and long-term benefits. He rebuilt the team’s bullpen before the 2019 Deadline and then made the flurry of trades that resulted in the 2021 World Series title.

• Record at the break: 55-40 (First in NL East, 2.0 games ahead)
• Record at the break last year: 42-53 (Fourth in NL East, 12.5 games back)
• Playoff odds: 90.8%
• Remaining Strength of Schedule: .513 (6th hardest in MLB)

Biggest need: Starting pitching

If Elder turns things around and if Martín Pérez regains his 2024 All-Star form and if Smith-Shawver is one of the few to find immediate success after UCL surgery and if Waldrep harnesses his command, the Braves may have enough internal options to fix their rotation. But each of these things is a big 'IF.'

Best Trade Chip: OF Eric Hartman

Hartman (MLB No. 77 prospect, Braves No. 2) might be the game’s most interesting trade chip this year. The 20-year-old outfielder has hit .281 with 21 homers, 31 stolen bases and a .902 OPS over 90 games for High-A Rome. The question is should the Braves deal him now, with the hope his value will never get any higher? Or should they keep the young outfielder with the confidence he could soon become one of the game’s top superstars?

Key Player for second half: 3B Austin Riley

Riley looked like a perennial MVP candidate when he produced his third straight 30-homer season in 2023. But he has produced a .719 OPS while totaling 44 homers over the three years that have followed. Injuries (broken hand in 2024 and abdominal strain in 2025) have hindered him. But he’s healthy this year and still entered the break with a .618 OPS. A second-half turnaround could significantly improve Atlanta’s lineup.

Determining factor: First two turns through the rotation

Just 17 games separate the start of the second half and the Trade Deadline. You can argue the Braves have seen enough already to know they need to add at least two starting pitchers. But the first two starts made by López and Bryce Elder could influence how aggressive the front office is in pursuit of a starter.