It’s about time the Atlanta Braves found a long-term solution to replace former All-Star shortstop Orlando Arcia. While Arcia was solid in 2023—posting a .264/.321/.420 slash line—that’s been his only standout season in recent years. Last year, his performance declined significantly, and so far this spring training, things have only gotten worse. In 28 at-bats, he’s managed just two singles.
One potential option for the Braves is to explore a trade with the Boston Red Sox, who have an abundance of infield talent but limited roster spots. Boston is expected to start Trevor Story at shortstop this season, but they might be open to dealing him and giving top prospect Marcelo Mayer the job. Mayer has impressed this spring with an OPS close to 1.000 and comes at a much lower cost than Story.
Of course, trading Story would be a gamble for the Red Sox. If Mayer isn’t ready for everyday MLB action, Boston’s lineup could take a hit. However, considering Story’s injury history since arriving in Boston, some might argue it wouldn’t be a huge loss. If Mayer struggles, the Red Sox could approach the situation like they did last year when their $140 million shortstop was sidelined.
For Atlanta, acquiring Story wouldn’t come cheap. It would likely require a package headlined by a top pitching prospect like Hurston Waldrep, along with another top young player such as Nacho Alvarez Jr. Still, if the Braves are serious about keeping pace with the Dodgers in the National League, upgrading at shortstop is a move they may need to make.
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