Braves could solve shortstop problem with trade for Marlins All-Star, per insider

The Atlanta Braves are beginning to realize they have a problem, and it's not one they expected.

Injuries to star outfielders Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II have left the lineup shorthanded. But another 2023 All-Star, Orlando Arcia, hasn't been hurt at all. He's just been awful at the plate.

Given Arcia's league-worst .245 on-base percentage, the Braves may be combing the trade market for an offensive solution at the shortstop position. And one Major League Baseball insider believes acquiring a division rival could be the answer.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic wrote a Wednesday mailbag column answering trade deadline questions. Bowden said the Miami Marlins' Jazz Chisholm Jr. could be on the move to Atlanta.

"I do like Chisholm’s fit with the Braves and think their clubhouse culture would do him wonders," Bowden said.

Chisholm, 26, would certainly represent an offensive upgrade for Atlanta if he stays healthy. Though he's never played more than 124 games in a season, Chisholm averages 27 home runs and 31 stolen bases per 162 games in his five-year career.

But hold on a moment. Chisholm, though a very good athlete, hasn't played shortstop in any capacity since 2021. How, exactly, does acquiring him bring Atlanta any closer to a solution?

The answer, per Bowden, is to move someone to shortstop who has never played there in his entire big-league career.

"I would have no problem moving Ozzie Albies over to shortstop because he’s a plus defender there too," Bowden said.

In fairness, Albies was considered an excellent defender at shortstop in the minor leagues, and the reason he never got a shot there in the majors was primarily the presence of Dansby Swanson. Nevertheless, it's certainly an avant-garde solution.

Is it far-fetched to believe either Albies or Chisholm could handle shortstop duties? The offensive upgrade might be worth it. Both have an OPS starting with a seven, while Arcia's of course, is halfway to the ocean floor.

The late-career move to shortstop is becoming more common than ever. The Boston Red Sox tried it with Kiké Hernández in 2023, failing spectacularly. And of course, the Los Angeles Dodgers did it with Mookie Betts in 2024, which worked because he's Mookie freaking Betts.

Ultimately, it boils down to Alex Anthopoulos' willingness to think outside the box. The Braves have had great success this season turning Reynaldo López into a full-time starting pitcher, and this move requires a similar leap of faith.

More MLB: Why Braves must acquire Blue Jays All-Star shortstop, per insider