Aside from a few minor signings as spring training approaches, it’s likely that the Atlanta Braves won’t be pursuing any more major free agents. The pool of desirable options is shrinking, and since signing Jurickson Profar, there’s been little indication that the Braves are interested in the remaining big names. While unexpected moves can happen, it seems that free agency is effectively over for Atlanta.
However, this doesn’t mean the Braves won’t make a significant move before the 2025 season. Atlanta has been frequently mentioned as a potential destination for Padres starter Dylan Cease, and recent rumors suggest they’ve had discussions with San Diego. Among the available pitchers, Cease seems to be a good fit for the Braves.
Bleacher Report recently proposed a trade for Cease involving the Braves. While the reasoning behind the trade was mostly logical, it overlooked a critical issue that could make a Cease trade unlikely for Atlanta.
In the trade proposal, the Braves would send top prospect Drake Baldwin and AJ Smith-Shawver to the Padres in exchange for Cease’s final year of team control. The logic behind the trade is that with the departures of Max Fried and Charlie Morton, adding Cease would give Atlanta another potential frontline starter and help cover innings. The idea is that the Braves could try to extend Cease, making the trade worth the cost.
However, this assumption ignores the fact that Cease’s agent is Scott Boras, who typically avoids extensions for his clients. Boras prefers that his clients reach free agency to maximize their value. As a result, the Braves rarely pursue Boras clients, as they prefer to allocate their resources across the entire roster rather than overcommitting to a single player.
Without the realistic possibility of extending Cease, giving up Baldwin and Smith-Shawver for a one-year rental becomes less appealing. While the Braves should still consider Cease, it may be wiser to only pursue him at a lower price unless there’s a clearer chance of reaching a long-term deal.
