Unless something truly bizarre happens or the front office makes the miscalculation of the century, the Atlanta Braves are going to be selling at the trade deadline. We already know for certain that the team is shopping Marcell Ozuna around and that he is open to waiver his no-trade rights. If the Braves can find any takers for Raisel Iglesias and/or Rafael Montero, you can bet they would jump at the chance.
However, there are less likely trade candidates that could surprise everyone on the Braves roster. After all, this is a pretty bad Braves team that probably shouldn't be too attached to anyone not named Ronald Acuña Jr. right now. While unlikely, there are some dark horse trade candidates that Atlanta could decide to move even if they look safe right now.
Here are some dark horse trade candidates that the Braves could move at the trade deadline
This isn't an attempt to just name guys that would generate clicks that have zero chance of getting moves. Stop thinking any Acuña Jr. trade chatter is real or that the Braves could trade Matt Olson because they miss Freddie Freeman. Such moves are not going to happen and it is best to accept that. However, that doesn't mean the Braves couldn't surprise us a bit.
Chris Sale
Yes, we understand that it is odd to talk about avoiding unrealistic trade options and then immediately talk about Chris Sale who the Braves publicly said they are 100% keeping. However, that was over a month ago and there is a world where Sale gets traded: if he asks to be moved to a contender. Yes, this feels very unlikely and his availability this year due to his rib injury would complicate any trade, but it is entirely possible that Sale doesn't want to wait around for the Braves to sort their problems out at this stage of his career. In that world, the front office could send him where he has a better shot if he presses the issue.
Ozzie Albies
Again, Ozzie Albies has not been good this season, but his team option for next year is so cheap that not picking it up would be a mistake. USA Today's Bob Nightengale said as much recently, but he also said that even though the Braves plan on picking Albies' option up, they would at least listen to trade offers. Any Albies trade may be more likely this coming offseason so that all parties involved can see how he finishes the season, but don't sleep on the possibility of a move this week if Atlanta gets the right offer from a team that really needs a switch-hitting infielder.
Sean Murphy
Again, Sean Murphy has been a popular trade candidate in mock moves ever since the emergence of Drake Baldwin this season. While the case for just keeping Murphy and playing him with Baldwin makes far more sense, catcher is a position of scarcity and the Braves could live without Murphy and potentially use his salary to address other areas of the roster this coming offseason. The Braves would have to be blown away to make a move, but the lack of impact position player talent this year could force a team to get desperate at the trade deadline.