More and more, the idea that the Atlanta Braves are going to sell at the trade deadline is becoming a reality. While no one expects the team to undergo a massive fire sale per se, the odds that pending free agents and/or minor role players get sent elsewhere is pretty high and frankly, it isn't a bad path forward given where Atlanta sits as the second half gets underway.
In an ideal world, the Braves would get back real prospects that could shore up what has become a very shallow farm system. That could still happen, especially if the Braves find motivated buyers for guys like Marcell Ozuna and/or Raisel Iglesias. However, their trade Thursday night with the Marlins that sent reliever Michael Petersen to Miami for cash considerations may have revealed another goal the Braves may hold.
Braves could (and should) use the trade deadline as opportunity to reset their luxury tax penalties
This move itself doesn't matter all that much. Petersen had only made four appearances this season and was pretty much a quad-A arm that served as roster filler. The Braves had DFA'd him a week ago and it was pretty clear that he wasn't in their plans going forward. The Marlins had had Petersen before and that knowledge seems to have helped get a deal done.
However, getting cash in the trade is a reminder Atlanta was close to the luxury tax penalty zone to start the 2025 season. The Braves had indicated that paying those penalties wasn't going to keep them from making moves to improve the club, but the situation is different now. Making moves for players under control beyond 2025 could make sense, but doing so at the trade deadline could risk the Braves being over the luxury tax threshold for the third straight season. The more consecutive years you are over that threshold, the worse the penalties are.
With their realistically sellable assets not likely to bring massive prospect returns, the next best option for Atlanta is to save some money in the short-term. By doing so, the Braves can reset their luxury tax penalties and be more aggressive during the offseason to fix what appears to be a number of holes with this Braves roster.
It may not be the sexiest of trade deadline plans, but is definitely one worth pursuing if at all possible.