For the most part, barring any more injuries, the Atlanta Braves have a strong cast of infielders. With Matt Olson and Austin Riley controlling the hot corners, Ozzie Albies is a longtime second baseman, and Atlanta traded for Mauricio Dubon this offseason, who will likely be the Opening Day shortstop.
However, one thing the Braves do lack is depth in the infield, as Ha-Seong Kim remains sidelined with a hand injury. Just a few weeks ago, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that the Baltimore Orioles are still trying to work out a trade to get rid of Ryan Mountcastle. This is an opportunity that makes sense for Atlanta, which is now trying to find another bat that can replace Jurickson Profar.Â
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Does a Ryan Mountcastle Trade Make Sense for the Braves?
GettyRyan Mountcastle
Ryan Mountcastle is set to earn over $6 million in 2026, but there’s no fit for him on the Orioles roster. There isn’t exactly a fit for him on the Braves roster either, but Atlanta should know that when the injury bug strikes, it’s important to have good depth, especially in the hitting department.
Matt Olson is the current Iron Man of MLB, as he refuses to take any days off. This leaves Ryan Mountcastle as a backup option to Olson, and a potential platoon bat against left-handed pitchers.
In 2025, Mountcastle hit seven home runs in 89 games. He has decreasing home run totals in every season since 2021, when he clubbed 33 homers. Despite that, Mountcastle had still been an above-average hitter for pretty much his entire career until the 2025 season.
Baltimore signed Pete Alonso, which opens the door for a potential trade of Mountcastle or Coby Mayo.
Mountcastle has a lifetime .263 average with 125 doubles and 98 home runs over his six-year career.
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What Would Atlanta Have to Give Up to Acquire Mountcastle?
Considering that his value dwindled last season, the Braves would likely be able to acquire Mountcastle at a fair asking price.
It may cost a mid-tier prospect, or a name like Nacho Alvarez Jr., to get a deal done. Ryan Mountcastle was sidelined with a hamstring injury in 2025, which may have hindered his ability to hit, but if he’s actually made available via trade, he’s one of the top available bats on the market.
And for the Braves, replacing Profar’s offensive production should be at the forefront of Alex Anthopoulos’s mind.
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