With as much as has gone wrong during the 2025 season, it is very clear that the Atlanta Braves are going to have to make some big changes this coming offseason. Brian Snitker's immediate future is an open question right now, but it is almost a certainty that Marcell Ozuna is leaving and unless his second half push has convinced the team to keep him, closer Raisel Iglesias is likely to join him.
Right now, the Braves might need a shortstop and definitely need more starting pitching depth and probably half of a bullpen. That is not a short list of roster needs. Atlanta is going to have some money to play with in free agency, but the sheer number of needs means that the Braves are likely to strike some trades and that means figuring out which prospects they should try to keep.
Here are the prospects that the Atlanta Braves need to hang on to this offseason if at all possible
No prospect should be completely off the table in trade talks. Getting fair value is important, but the idea that any minor leaguer with no big league experience should be untouchable is a stretch at best. However, getting fair value and understanding what that is means understanding where prospects are in their development and when they could help the Braves in the big leagues.
Diego Tornes
Tornes was the jewel of the Braves' international free agent class last January and at first glance, a kid as far away from the majors as he is should be potentially available as a trade chip. However, his young age is actually a reason to not move him because Atlanta doesn't really know enough about what he is or could be yet and that means there is a very good chance they would be selling low on him. If another team treats him like a centerpiece prospect in a big trade, then sure. However, other teams are more likely to devalue him because of his inexperience and Tornes is too talented to be supporting piece in a trade.
JR Ritchie
Ritchie is on the other end of the spectrum. If the Braves are serious about creating some real starting pitching depth with as many injuries as they have had in their rotation, getting rid of a really talented arm that is essentially big league rotation ready heading into 2026 doesn't make much sense. Again, never say never and if there is a big time starter available, using Ritchie to get that deal done is fine. However, the number of realistic deals that would make sense to include Ritchie in is not a large list.
Tate Southisene
Again, similar to Tornes, the Braves just drafted Tate Southisene in the first round and after a bit of a rocky start to his pro career, his value isn't going to be super high especially at his size. There is a lot of talent here and if Atlanta wants to use Southisene as a trade chip down the road, they need to let him establish some more value first. Low levels of the minors lottery tickets have their place in trades, but the guy the Braves just spent their highest draft pick on shouldn't be one of them.
Jhancarlos Lara
The Braves need bullpen arms heading into next season and they don't really have much in the way of power relief arms at all. Atlanta has been trying to keep Lara as a starter, but there just isn't a good chance he will stick their with his command issues. However, what he CAN do is chuck triple digit heat in short stints. Instead of throwing Lara into a trade as a "failed" starting pitching prospect, just give him a chance as a high leverage reliever and check one item off the offseason shopping list.