3 mock trade packages to get Ronald Acuña Jr. from Braves to Mariners

As the Seattle Mariners climb more firmly into contention and the Atlanta Braves slip further from it, it feels like the two teams should be on opposite ends of the trade deadline this year. The Mariners would likely be looking to add talent, while Atlanta is probably going to be selling pieces to reload for 2026. 

While it is very unlikely, one insider believes Seattle should consider trading for superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in a blockbuster. It’s probably not going to happen, as Acuña still has another three years on his contract and is a beloved player in Atlanta. But if it were to happen, here are three trade packages that could get it done. 

Trade 1: The prospect-heavy approach 

Mariners receive: Ronald Acuña Jr. 
Braves receive: Colt Emerson, Lazaro Montes, Logan Evans, Dominic Canzone 

Atlanta is probably not looking for project prospects. Even if the Braves were to trade Acuña, the team still has plenty of talent to make a run in 2026, and is thus not likely to launch a rebuild after one down year. 

The Mariners have three “MLB-ready” prospects. However, the Braves likely would not want Harry Ford, as they already have two solid catchers in Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin. They also have no need for Tyler Locklear, who would be blocked by Matt Olson. Evans, however, would make sense for Atlanta. Young pitchers are always valuable. If Atlanta preferred Emerson Hancock, you could swap Evans for Hancock and the trade remains balanced.

That leaves the Braves looking for high-end talent. They’d likely want one of the Mariners' two shortstop prospects, and Colt Emerson would probably be their choice over the younger, more raw Felnin Celestin. Montes joins the deal as a nearly MLB-ready power hitter. He could slot into a corner outfield slot for the Braves as early as next year and eventually would replace Marcel Ozuna as the team’s designated hitter. 

Finally, the Braves would get Canzone to replace Acuña for the rest of 2025 in right field. Canzone had a breakout June with the Mariners, and could still have potential to be unlocked. 

Trade 2: The superstar swap

Mariners receive: Ronald Acuña Jr., Marcell Ozuna 
Braves receive: Julio Rodríguez, Bryce Miller

Who says no? 

This trade would make the Mariners better in the short term, but likely benefits the Braves long term. Seattle receives Acuña Jr., who is a much better player offensively than Rodriguez. They also improve the lineup by adding Ozuna, who immediately becomes Seattle’s best DH since Nelson Cruz. The defense would be worse, but Luke Raley could hold his own in center field with Acuña playing right. 

The only reason Seattle makes this trade is if they are legitimately worried about Rodríguez's bat. If he continues along his current trajectory, he will lose value as he ages. Most of his 3.4 bWAR this year has come from his defense, but he will not be an elite defender forever. Meanwhile, his OPS has dropped in every year of his career.

Still, Rodríguez's current contract is one of the most team-friendly deals in the league. Atlanta would likely benefit long-term from the addition of him and Miller, who flashed ace potential in 2024. 

The Mariners would have four seasons to capitalize with Acuña and one with Ozuna in a lineup that already features Cal Raleigh, the best power hitter in baseball. It might be the best top-three in the league, but assuming the Mariners would not extend Acuña, it would only last until 2028. The Braves, meanwhile, would have Rodriguez potentially as long as 2034.

Trade 3: the balanced approach 

Mariners receive: Ronald Acuña Jr.
Braves receive: George Kirby, Dominic Canzone, Colt Emerson 

Most likely, the Braves would want a mix of MLB talent and prospects if they were to realistically think about trading Acuña. 

This trade gives them that mix. Atlanta gets Kirby, a proven MLB ace who the Mariners probably can not afford to extend in three years. Seattle has a strong enough rotation to withstand the loss of Kirby and trade him while his value is high. 

Canzone, while not the centerpiece of the deal, has looked like a legitimately great player in June, and would replace Acuña in the outfield in Atlanta. 

Finally, the Braves would get Emerson, the Mariners’ top prospect. He could be Atlanta’s shortstop of the future and could join the squad as early as next year. However, Seattle keeps the rest of their prospect core, including Montes and Celestin. 

The price is steep, with the Mariners trading away an ace starter with three years of control and their top prospect. However, Seattle would get to roll out lineups featuring Rodríguez, Raleigh, Acuña and Arozarena for the foreseeable future.