We are now one week away from the trade deadline, and things are getting interesting for the Atlanta Braves and every other team around the league. While the trade frenzy hasn't gotten started yet, we did see the Red Sox add Curtis Mead over the weekend, and there have been plenty of minor roster moves around the league in preparation. Once trade season is in full swing, fans should expect the Braves to be right in the middle of all of it.
Right now, the Braves are likely in search of a starting pitcher, bullpen help, and a right-handed bat of consequence, with preference given to outfielders and shortstops in all likelihood. The trade market is still developing, but let's take a look at some of the Braves news you may have missed from the weekend while we wait for hot stove season to warm up.
Scouts flocking to Braves minor leagues ahead of trade deadline, with JR Ritchie and John Gil appearing to be top targets
Unsurprisingly, the Braves have been connected to basically any player that is remotely available at the trade deadline that fits their needs. Competition for the prime trade targets is likely to be fierce, but it does appear as though teams have a few Braves prospects that they covet more than others.
According to The Athletic's Jesus Cano, scouts from around the league have been seen in droves watching Braves prospects, including scouts from at least the Padres, Tigers, and A's being seen at high-A Rome over the weekend. Cano's report also indicated that JR Ritchie and John Gil appear to be popular trade targets in the early going.
Andruw Jones' induction speech included nods and thanks to many Braves greats
It took far longer than it should have, but Andruw Jones was finally inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame over the weekend. Finally, arguably the best defensive player to ever play the game and one of the best overall centerfielders in history got his plaque in Cooperstown after having to wait until his ninth year on the ballot.
Jones' induction speech was one to remember and reflected just how aware he was of the difficulty in getting in the Hall, as well as on some of the Braves greats that helped him get to where he is now. It is worth a watch in its entirety if you have a spare 20 minutes or so.
Watch @andruwjones25’s @baseballhall speech in its entirety: pic.twitter.com/i4SE4czQyf
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 26, 2026
Braves' turnaround has them back in the top 3 in MLB power rankings
Atlanta's June swoon was certainly not ideal and made the NL East race far more interesting than anyone wanted it to be. However, the start of the second half has gone much better for the Braves, and after three straight series wins, the team finds themselves with a healthy 5.5-game lead in the division once again.
The experts seem to have noticed, as the Braves are back to third on MLB's power rankings, with just the Dodgers and Brewers ahead of them. MLB also mentioned that Atlanta is about to get significantly stronger once Ronald Acuña Jr. returns this week and that the Braves and Milwaukee could be in for quite the battle for a first-round bye the rest of the season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google