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The Atlanta Braves have been named as the potential best landing spot for a struggling All-Star slugger. Atlanta has been one of the top teams in all of baseball to start the 2026 season. In fact, they currently have the best record in the league at 29-13. They also have the most impressive run differential among all Major League Baseball clubs (+90).

At the moment, the Braves do not seem to have much of a weakness. Their offense currently averages 5.55 runs scored per game during the current campaign. The club’s pitching staff also has a combined team ERA of 3.11. Both of these impressive stats lead the league. Despite this, Atlanta may very well add some extra firepower to the roster in the near future.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer has specifically named the Braves as the top destination for San Francisco Giants star Rafael Devers. The Giants previously acquired the former perennial MVP candidate from the Boston Red Sox 11 months ago. Despite giving up four players in the deal, San Francisco has seemingly regretted the move. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale even recently claimed that the Giants “would love” to offload Devers soon.

Since arriving in the Bay Area, Devers has not been able to produce as he did in Boston. Although he does have 25 home runs in 132 games with San Francisco, his batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging are all down with the Giants. It certainly seems as if the struggling slugger could use a quick change of scenery.

Rafael Devers Could be a Long-Term DH solution for the Atlanta Braves

GettyThe Atlanta Braves could hope that Rafael Devers just needs a new team to bounce back.

If the Atlanta Braves were to move for Devers, he would most likely be used as the team’s designated hitter. While Devers previously played third base, he has since been moved off the hot corner in San Francisco. He also has experience at first base, but Atlanta has one of the top first basemen in baseball with Matt Olson.

Dominic Smith has mostly been deployed as the Braves’ main DH in 2026. The veteran journeyman is in the middle of a career year, slashing .363/.391/.550. Nevertheless, as Rymer points out, it seems somewhat unlikely that Smith can keep up this astounding pace throughout the current campaign and beyond.

The biggest obstacle for any team looking to acquire Devers is undoubtedly his massive contract. The star slugger is currently in the middle of a 10-year, $313 million deal. Any team, including the Braves, eyeing Devers will most likely want the Giants to eat at least some of this huge salary. The slugger is still owed $226.5 million through the 2033 season.

Atlanta Has Young Arms to Help Make a Move

Although it would be a risky move, the Atlanta Braves could consider Devers a solid buy-low candidate. Devers has struggled with the Giants to his standards, but still recorded 35 home runs and 109 RBIs between Boston and San Francisco in 2025. The slugger is also heating up as of late. Devers is hitting .350 (14 for 40) with seven extra-base hits over his last dozen games.

Because the Giants would love to shed Devers’ salary, Atlanta could look to take advantage of the situation. Rymer suggests that the Braves may be open to letting go of some young, currently injured pitchers, Spencer Schwellenbach or Hurston Waldrep, to help facilitate a deal.