The Atlanta Braves have been one of the more active clubs this offseason, and many evaluators have responded favorably to the transactions they’ve completed so far. On paper, the roster looks stronger and more balanced than it did at the end of last season. Still, despite the generally positive reviews, the organization doesn’t believe its work is finished. The front office remains focused on one clear objective: reinforcing the pitching staff with another high-end arm.
President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has been particularly transparent about this priority. While Atlanta’s rotation already features quality options, the Braves are keenly aware of how quickly pitching depth can be tested over the course of a long season. Injuries, workload management, and the grind of a playoff push all make reliable starting pitching a necessity rather than a luxury. As a result, Anthopoulos has continued to signal that adding another impactful starter is very much on the table.
Atlanta has two primary avenues to accomplish this goal. The most straightforward option would be to pursue a starting pitcher via free agency. The open market still offers several arms who could slot into the rotation and provide stability or upside. Free agency, however, often comes with significant financial commitments, and the Braves must weigh long-term payroll flexibility against short-term competitive needs.
The alternative path is the trade market, which could allow Atlanta to acquire a controllable starter without committing years of guaranteed money. Trades, of course, come with their own challenges, particularly when it comes to surrendering established major league talent. Still, the Braves have the organizational depth to explore this route, and it may ultimately prove to be the more strategic solution.
One intriguing name that has surfaced in speculative discussions is Kris Bubic of the Kansas City Royals. Bubic is a left-handed starter with experience in the rotation and the potential to benefit from a change of scenery. While he may not be viewed as a frontline ace, his skill set and team control could make him an appealing target for a Braves club looking to deepen its pitching options without overextending financially.
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To make a deal of that magnitude work, Atlanta would likely need to part with a notable piece. One possible trade chip is catcher Sean Murphy. Murphy is a valuable player with strong defensive credentials and offensive upside, and his presence could attract interest from teams seeking stability behind the plate. Given Atlanta’s catching depth, the Braves might consider leveraging Murphy in the right scenario if it helps address a more pressing need in the rotation.
Ultimately, whether Atlanta chooses free agency or the trade route, the message from the front office is clear: the Braves are not done building. Adding another dependable starter could be the final move that solidifies their roster and positions them for another deep postseason run.
Braves Trade Idea Offloads Sean Murphy for Kris Bubic
One intriguing trade concept making the rounds would see the Atlanta Braves partner with the Kansas City Royals in a deal centered around pitching and catching needs. In this scenario, Atlanta would acquire left-handed starter Kris Bubic, while Kansas City would receive All-Star catcher Sean Murphy in return. On paper, the exchange checks boxes for both organizations and addresses roster imbalances that have become increasingly evident.
From the Royals’ perspective, the addition of Murphy could significantly stabilize a position that is in transition. Veteran catcher Salvador Perez has gradually shifted into a primary designated hitter role as he advances deeper into his career. That shift leaves Kansas City searching for a reliable everyday catcher who can handle pitching staffs while still offering above-average offensive production.
Murphy fits that description perfectly. Even with some recent offensive regression, he remains one of the better defensive catchers in the league and has a proven track record as a middle-of-the-order contributor. Installing Murphy behind the plate on a daily basis would give the Royals a long-term solution at a premium position.
For Atlanta, the motivation behind such a trade is rooted in rotation depth and durability. The Braves’ pitching staff has been stretched thin by injuries, and the front office has made no secret of its desire to reinforce the starting rotation.
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According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the Braves have every reason to be aggressive in their search for arms, whether via free agency or the trade market. After enduring a season in which six different starters missed at least five weeks due to injury, Atlanta is keenly aware that depth is not a luxury but a necessity.
Bubic represents a potential solution. As a left-handed starter with experience and upside, he would give the Braves another dependable option to slot into the middle or back end of the rotation. While he may not be considered a true ace, Bubic’s presence would reduce the strain on the rest of the staff and provide insurance against the inevitable wear and tear of a long season.
Murphy’s situation in Atlanta also makes him a logical trade chip. His role with the Braves has evolved considerably since he signed a six-year, $73 million contract in 2023. That same year, Murphy earned All-Star honors and appeared to be a foundational piece of the lineup.
However, injuries and declining offensive numbers have clouded his long-term outlook. Complicating matters further is the rapid emergence of Drake Baldwin, who captured National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2025 and has forced his way into a prominent role behind the plate.
With Baldwin ascending and Murphy no longer a clear-cut everyday option, Atlanta could view this trade as a chance to address a more pressing need. Moving Murphy’s contract while acquiring a rotation upgrade could be a proactive way for the Braves to rebalance their roster and maintain championship aspirations.
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Ultimately, this proposed deal highlights how two teams with different needs can align. The Royals would gain a proven catcher to anchor their lineup, while the Braves would add pitching depth in an area of vulnerability. While far from guaranteed, a swap of this nature underscores why both clubs are likely to remain active in trade discussions as the offseason unfolds.
How Kris Bubic Would Help the Braves’ Rotation?
Adding Kris Bubic would bring much-needed balance to the Atlanta Braves starting rotation. At present, Atlanta leans heavily on right-handed pitching, with arms such as Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, and Holmes filling out most of the rotation.
On the left-handed side, the options are far more limited, with Chris Sale and Joey Wentz standing as the only southpaws. Bringing in Bubic would not only diversify the pitching staff but also give opposing lineups a different look throughout a series.
Bubic’s 2025 campaign demonstrated just how valuable he could be in that role. Over 116.1 innings across 20 starts, he recorded an impressive 2.55 ERA, showing both effectiveness and growth as a starter.
While injuries limited him at times during the season, his overall body of work suggested reliability, especially when viewed in the context of his career. He has generally been able to take the ball when asked, and that dependability is something Atlanta has prioritized as it looks to protect itself against the inevitable wear and tear of a long season.
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Another element that adds to Bubic’s appeal is his versatility. Earlier in his career, he moved between the bullpen and the starting rotation, gaining experience in multiple roles. That flexibility could be particularly useful for the Braves, who are known for experimenting with pitching usage to maximize matchups and manage workloads. Even so, his 2025 performance indicated that he may have finally settled into a groove as a full-time starter, suggesting that his best years could still be ahead of him at age 28.
From a roster-construction standpoint, Bubic also makes sense because of his contractual situation. He remains under team control through his arbitration years, meaning the Kansas City Royals would be moving a pitcher who is affordable and not yet tied to a long-term deal. For Atlanta, acquiring a cost-controlled arm like Bubic would provide financial flexibility while still addressing a clear on-field need.
That flexibility becomes even more important when considering the potential ripple effects of moving on from Sean Murphy. Murphy is owed $73 million, and shedding that contract could open significant payroll space. Over the last two seasons, he has struggled to stay on the field, failing to reach 100 games played in either 2024 or 2025.
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Compounding those durability concerns, his offensive production has dipped sharply, as he hit below .200 in both seasons. For a team with championship aspirations, reallocating those resources toward healthier and more productive contributors could be a smart strategic move.
In that light, Bubic represents more than just a rotation upgrade. He symbolizes a chance for the Braves to rebalance their pitching staff, gain financial breathing room, and position themselves to pursue additional impact talent elsewhere on the roster—all while adding a left-handed starter who appears to be entering his prime.
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