Braves Trade Idea Sends Orlando Arcia for 2-Time All-Star

The Atlanta Braves’ 2024 season left many fans frustrated, especially after being swept by the San Diego Padres in the postseason. Expectations were high after their 2023 campaign, but the Braves barely clinched a playoff spot.

As a result, speculation has ramped up about the team making big moves to regain momentum for 2025. One potential move that has people talking comes from FanSided’s John Buhler. He brought up a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays that could bring Bo Bichette to Atlanta.

Bo Bichette is a two-time All-Star and would be a big lift offensively for the Braves.Photo byMLB.com

Here’s the potential trade package:

• Braves receive: Bo Bichette (SS)
• Blue Jays receive: Orlando Arcia (SS), Drake Baldwin (C), and AJ Smith-Shawver (RHP)

Now, let’s break this down further. A two-time All-Star, Bichette has led the American League in hits twice and has proven himself as one of the premier shortstops in the game. Sure, 2024 wasn’t his best year, as he battled injuries and endured his worst season at the plate.

But anyone who’s followed Bichette knows that kind of dip is an outlier—he’s shown time and again the caliber of player he is. With free agency looming and the Blue Jays potentially eyeing a rebuild, trading Bichette before losing him for nothing could be in the cards.

Orlando Arcia, Braves' current shortstop, has not maintained batting numbers since becoming and All-Star in 2023.Photo byMLB.com

For the Braves, Bichette would address a glaring issue at shortstop. Orlando Arcia, who had a strong showing in 2023 and earned an All-Star nod, regressed significantly in 2024. Arcia’s offensive woes were a major problem, hitting just .218. This left Atlanta with a real need to upgrade the position before next season.

Arcia and Bichette might be comparable defensively, but the offensive gap is undeniable. As Buhler pointed out, “Atlanta cannot have him walking out at shortstop next season.”

The Braves farm system would take a hit in this deal, as Drake Baldwin, ranked No. 5 in the organization, and AJ Smith-Shawver, the No. 2 prospect, would head to Toronto. Baldwin, a promising catching prospect, is likely the key piece Toronto would want in this deal. Smith-Shawver is still developing, but many in “Braves Country” are skeptical of his long-term potential.

For Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos, Bichette seems like the type of player who fits his long-term vision. Young, talented, and with a contract that isn’t going to break the bank, Bichette is exactly the kind of player Anthopoulos loves to lock down with a team-friendly extension. In fact, Buhler even speculated that we could see Bichette inking a five-year deal worth over $20 million per season if the Braves make the trade.

This potential trade could give the Braves the shot in the arm they need to get back to their winning ways. Bichette, at just 27 next season, is still in his prime and could be the perfect addition to a team hungry to bounce back after a disappointing 2024. While the trade would cost Atlanta some promising young talent, landing a player of Bichette’s caliber could make all the difference as the Braves look to reestablish themselves as championship contenders.