Who’s Playing Short in Atlanta?

The Dilemma

94 Wins. A 68 OPS+ at Shortstop.

The Atlanta Braves won 94 games in 2026.

Their shortstops combined for a 68 OPS+.

Think about that.

A lineup featuring Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Michael Harris II, and Drake Baldwin won 94 games while receiving offensive production from shortstop that was 32% below league average.

That’s a problem Alex Anthopoulos can’t afford to ignore.

Atlanta doesn’t need another superstar. Give me a shortstop who hits .250, provides 10–15 home runs, and plays excellent defense, and I’m thrilled.

But after years of temporary solutions, it’s time to find someone who can actually own the position.

Six candidates. Six different price tags. One decision that could reshape Atlanta’s championship window.

The Free-Agent Market

1. Mauricio Dubón

The Right Player at the Wrong Price?

2026: .276/.321/.399 | .720 OPS
12 HR | 73 RBI | 10 SB

There’s plenty to like about bringing Mauricio Dubón back.

He’s familiar with Atlanta, handles shortstop, and provides the positional flexibility Anthopoulos loves. More importantly, he’s not an automatic out.

Surround Dubón with Acuña, Olson, Harris, and Baldwin, and his offensive production fits beautifully.

But I’m not paying for another career year at 32.

His struggles against four-seam fastballs and changeups raise questions about whether his offensive improvement is sustainable. He’s a dependable player, but the Braves need to pay for what he realistically offers, not his best possible season.

And with a thin free-agent shortstop market, that price could climb quickly.

The BLT Take: I’d welcome Dubón back on a two-year deal, ideally around $9–10 million annually. I’d reluctantly stretch to $12 million because of the market and his fit in Atlanta. But that’s my ceiling. No third guaranteed year. No bidding war.

2. J.P. Crawford

Please Tell Me There’s Another Option.

2026: .221/.335/.352 | .687 OPS
14 HR | 40 RBI | 1 SB

J.P. Crawford is on this list because the free-agent shortstop market is that thin.

That’s it.

He still draws walks and gets on base, but we’re talking about a 32-year-old coming off a .221 batting average with declining defensive value.

Atlanta has spent years searching for temporary answers at shortstop. Signing Crawford would feel like doubling down on the exact approach that created this dilemma.

The BLT Take: If Crawford is Atlanta’s big shortstop acquisition, I’m throwing the TV remote. Another aging stopgap isn’t the answer, and I’d consider this a very poor move by Anthopoulos.

The Trade Market

3. Jeremy Peña

The Perfect Fit. The Boras Problem.

2026: .277/.325/.477 | .802 OPS
22 HR | 56 RBI | 12 SB
2027: Final year of team control

If I’m Alex Anthopoulos, Jeremy Peña is a name I’m circling.

Houston could be approaching a transition, and Peña is entering his final year of team control. That’s an opportunity worth exploring.

Peña fits Atlanta beautifully.

He’s a productive hitter who complements the Braves’ four big bats without needing to carry the lineup.

And his fastball numbers make that fit even more appealing.

Peña hit over .300 against every fastball classification in 2026. Put him alongside Acuña, Olson, Harris, and Baldwin, and opposing pitchers have another dangerous bat to navigate.

If Peña gets hot, Atlanta could have an argument for the best lineup in baseball.

I’m not losing sleep over his defensive regression, either. He still has range. Injuries might have diminished his Gold Glove ceiling, but he’s certainly no liability at shortstop.

The biggest obstacle is Scott Boras.

A team-friendly extension would be difficult with Peña approaching free agency. But I wouldn’t make an extension a requirement.

For one year of Peña, I’m willing to surrender one or two recognizable prospects. I’m not moving Atlanta’s premier talent.

And there’s one condition: the Braves still need another starting pitcher.

The BLT Take: I’d pull the trigger on Peña at a reasonable prospect cost, even without an extension. But if acquiring him prevents Atlanta from strengthening its rotation, I’m walking away.

4. Otto Lopez

Buying High. Betting on the Player.

2026: .305/.349/.437 | .786 OPS
11 HR | 34 SB | 191 Hits
2027: Three years of team control

Otto Lopez is the kind of baseball player I love watching.

He sprays the ball all over the field, makes pitchers work, picks it at shortstop, and creates havoc on the bases.

And he rarely swings through anything.

His 90.1% zone-contact rate and 19.5% whiff rate tell you exactly what kind of hitter he is.

Add his speed, and you’ve got someone who can impact a game without ever leaving the yard.

But Atlanta would be buying at his peak value.

Lopez’s offensive breakout was fueled by a massive improvement against fastballs. He went from hitting .260 with a .294 slugging percentage against them in 2025 to .345 with a .510 slugging percentage in 2026.

That’s a real improvement.

His struggles against offspeed pitches suggest some regression is coming. I’m not expecting another .305 season.

But I don’t need one.

Lopez has shown he can handle shortstop despite a below-average arm. Atlanta doesn’t need a Gold Glover. It needs a dependable, well-rounded player who contributes every night.

The complication is the price.

He’s under team control for three more seasons, and Miami would be trading him within the division. That’s going to cost Atlanta legitimate prospects.

Still, there’s something to be said for making a move that tells the clubhouse you’re serious about winning.

The BLT Take: You’re buying Lopez at the height of his value, and I know the prospect cost will hurt. But three years of contact, speed, defense, and confidence? That’s an investment I’d seriously consider.

5. CJ Abrams

The Hometown Home Run or an Expensive Gamble?

2026: .261/.336/.497 | .833 OPS
33 HR | 106 RBI | 34 SB
2027: Two years of team control

Bringing Atlanta native CJ Abrams home would certainly make a statement.

A 30/30 shortstop is a rare commodity, and Abrams just joined an exclusive group.

But there’s one question Atlanta can’t ignore.

Is he actually a shortstop?

Abrams has struggled with range and throwing accuracy throughout his career. His bat is exciting, but acquiring him means accepting a defensive compromise at the position Atlanta is trying to stabilize.

And I’m not convinced we’re getting another 33-home-run season.

Abrams posted a 10.6% barrel rate in 2026 while pulling the baseball more aggressively than ever. His expected numbers suggest some regression is coming.

Even if he settles around 24–25 home runs, that’s still an extremely valuable offensive player with game-changing speed.

But Washington will want a return reflecting his 30/30 season, age, and remaining team control.

Other teams might see a career year and a player whose long-term defensive home is somewhere other than shortstop.

The BLT Take: I love the talent and the idea of bringing Abrams home. But Atlanta needs to solve its shortstop problem, not trade significant prospects for another positional question. Between the defensive concerns, potential offensive regression, and acquisition cost, I’m staying away.

6. Elly De La Cruz

Hand Him the Keys.

2026: .283/.365/.515 | .880 OPS
30 HR | 79 RBI | 30 SB
2027: Three years of team control

If I’m Alex Anthopoulos, I’m willing to empty the farm system for Elly De La Cruz.

Might that be ill-advised?

Absolutely.

But we’re talking about a legitimate superstar entering his age-25 season with three years of team control.

Elly isn’t just another bat. He’s the kind of player you hand the keys to a franchise.

Bringing him to Atlanta sends a message, even to Ronald Acuña Jr.: this organization isn’t afraid to build around another superstar.

The strikeouts concern me. He punched out 175 times in 2026.

But he also hit 30 home runs, stole 30 bases, and posted an .880 OPS.

Now imagine opposing pitchers navigating Elly in a lineup featuring Acuña, Olson, Harris, and Baldwin.

Good luck.

His defense makes the move even more appealing. With his range, arm strength, and athleticism, Elly strengthens the pitching staff by turning difficult plays into outs.

The cost would be enormous.

Atlanta would likely surrender multiple premium prospects, including pitching talent. That means trusting Spencer Strider’s return to form and accepting less organizational depth.

But here’s the distinction: Elly’s arbitration years don’t automatically eliminate Atlanta from the free-agent pitching market.

The Braves could make a franchise-altering trade and still pursue a starting pitcher financially.

It’s a massive gamble.

And I’m willing to take it.

The BLT Take: Elly is the one player on this list I’d consider emptying the farm for. Three years of control, superstar upside, and legitimate shortstop defense. It’s the kind of move that could make Atlanta the team everyone else is chasing.

The GM Files Poll

You’re Alex Anthopoulos. Who’s Playing Short?

Six candidates. Six very different paths.

Who are you bringing to Atlanta?

• Elly De La Cruz — Empty the farm. Chase the superstar.

• Otto Lopez — Invest in the complete player.

• Jeremy Peña — Make the smart short-term trade.

• Mauricio Dubón — Bring back the dependable veteran.

• CJ Abrams — Bet on the hometown talent.

• J.P. Crawford — Take the free-agent route.

• Someone Else — There’s a better answer out there.

Make your pick before reading mine.

The Big League Take

Stop Renting Shortstops. Find Your Guy.

Elly De La Cruz is my first phone call. I’d empty the farm for a 25-year-old superstar with three years of control.

Otto Lopez isn’t far behind. His contact, speed, defense, and confidence are exactly what I’d want in Atlanta.

Peña? Absolutely, at the right prospect cost. Dubón? Bring him back if the contract makes sense.

There are multiple ways to get this right.

But after winning 94 games with a 68 OPS+ at shortstop, another temporary answer isn’t good enough.

Atlanta doesn’t need to win the offseason.

It needs to find a shortstop it can trust.

Own Your Take

Did I just suggest emptying Atlanta’s farm system for Elly De La Cruz?

Yes. Yes, I did.

But maybe you’re convinced Otto Lopez is the smarter investment. Maybe Peña is your guy. Or maybe Anthopoulos should keep his prospects and bring Dubón back.

Who would you target, and what’s the most you’d give up to get him?

Drop your take in the comments.

This is THE GM FILES. You’re running the front office. Own your decision.