The Atlanta Braves headed into the All-Star break with a 55-40 record, holding a two-game advantage over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. Despite their impressive start to the year, however, the team has experienced some recent struggles and has shown signs of cooling off.
After a difficult stretch in June, Atlanta is looking to use the All-Star break as an opportunity to reset and regain momentum. General manager Alex Anthopoulos has also indicated that the Braves could be active ahead of the trade deadline as they look to strengthen the roster.
“I fully expect and hope that we will be engaged in trades come July. I’m not trying to overly excite anybody or promise anything. But if we’re playing the way we are right now, we’re going to be in there,” Anthopoulos said.
Starting Rotation Emerges as Atlanta’s Biggest Concern
The Braves’ most significant weakness during their June struggles was their starting pitching. Aside from Chris Sale, the rotation has struggled to consistently deliver quality performances.
“The Atlanta Braves find themselves in desperate need of stability in their starting rotation. What started as a strength has quickly devolved into a glaring weakness. GM Alex Anthopoulos has some serious work to do at the trade deadline to get things back on track. Chris Sale is the only truly dependable arm in the rotation at the moment. Everyone else has been average at best,” HTHB’s Steven Teal wrote.
With the trade deadline approaching, Atlanta is expected to make adding another starter a priority. ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggested that the Braves could explore a potential move for New York Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta.
“And even if certainty isn’t exactly what Freddy Peralta has provided for the Mets this season, there’s enough history there for Atlanta to treat him as the upgrade he would be. Maybe it’s Peralta, and maybe it’s Michael Wacha, and maybe it’s one of a dozen other starting pitchers available. Whatever the Braves choose, their needs happen to align with the market’s clear strength, and there are fewer sure bets at this deadline than Atlanta getting a starting pitcher,” Passan wrote.
Freddy Peralta Could Provide a Major Boost
A trade between the Braves and Mets would come as a surprise, but Peralta could address one of Atlanta’s biggest needs by adding another experienced arm to the rotation. While his 2026 season has been inconsistent, the Mets have also struggled to find steady production across the roster.
Peralta is entering the final season of his $15 million contract after joining New York in an offseason trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. He led the National League in wins in 2025, and the Braves would be hoping he can return to that level of performance if they are able to acquire him.
With October aspirations still within reach, improving the rotation could be the key move that determines whether Atlanta remains a serious contender in the second half of the season.