Veteran star is set to land with a new team not long after being cut loose by the Atlanta Braves. Per Daniel Álvarez-Montes, top star is nearing a deal with the Colorado Rockies — a move that could ultimately benefit the Braves as well.
Atlanta designated him for assignment to make room for Ronald top prospect’s return. With him having already lost the starting shortstop job, he became a roster casualty, though he remains a fan favorite. While his production has dipped this year, he was an All-Star as recently as 2023, giving Colorado a reason to take a chance on him.
Interestingly, this could work in Atlanta’s favor. The Rockies already have a starting shortstop in Ezequiel Tovar, so signing top star might signal a low-risk move to add depth — or it could be a precursor to a trade involving Tovar. Arcia’s versatility — having also played second base and outfield — adds value to the Rockies’ roster, and potentially to the Braves’ future, depending on how things shake out
Braves fans have long coveted Ezequiel Tovar
At just 23 years old, Ezequiel Tovar is fresh off a Gold Glove season and continues to improve at the plate. He posted a .269/.469/.736 slash line with a 102 OPS+ last year, and he’s outperforming those numbers so far this season.
Given that the Rockies aren’t in contention and have a long rebuild ahead, it doesn’t make sense to let a talent like Tovar languish on a noncompetitive team. With his value rising, Tovar could be one of Colorado’s most attractive trade chips — and a key piece in accelerating their rebuild.
One complication in Atlanta’s shortstop situation is Nick Allen, whom the Braves acquired from the A’s last year. He replaced Orlando Arcia as the everyday starter, and while he’s been an upgrade, his performance hasn’t been especially impressive. Allen is hitting .250/.316/.279 with a 69 OPS+, indicating limited offensive impact.
The real challenge for the Braves is that Ezequiel Tovar may simply be too costly to acquire. If the Rockies decide to make him available, teams with stronger farm systems or better trade assets could easily outbid Atlanta. In that case, Arcia’s signing with Colorado might end up helping one of those other clubs instead.