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The Atlanta Braves are playing well, but don't be surprised if they make some upgrades at the trade deadline.

The Atlanta Braves have gotten off to a very strong start in 2026. After going 76-86 last year and missing the postseason for the first time since 2017, the Braves have command in the National League East, sitting 4 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Miami Marlins.

They have dealt with some pitching injuries but have still remained at the top of the NL East, and with the struggles of the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, it appears unlikely that they’ll fall out of the top spot anytime soon.

They could be in the market for some offensive help later in the year, as outfielder Mike Yastrzemski is off to a slow start. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report pitched the idea of Atlanta potentially making a play for an old friend in former All-Star Jorge Soler.

“Wouldn’t it be fun if the Atlanta Braves acquired Jorge Soler at the trade deadline for a third time in six seasons?” Miller wrote. “They don’t exactly need any help in the run production department at the moment, but if Mike Yastrzemski doesn’t turn things around, they’ll probably be in the market for at least one bat.”

Braves Linked to Jorge Soler

Soler is mainly a designated hitter at this point in his career, and he is off to a pretty strong start himself. The 34-year-old slugger is hitting .224/.330/.461, with five home runs with 19 RBI and posted a .790 OPS, so there is a lot of upside with his bat.

A contender could certainly benefit from having him in their lineup. The Los Angeles Angels likely are not going to hang around for much longer in the wild card race, so it would make sense for them to sell, and Soler is somebody who is in the final year of his contract, so he could be a valuable commodity for a contender.

The Braves shouldn’t have to give up too much for him given his contract status, and it would be beneficial for them to have the 2021 World Series MVP back in the lineup. Soler has had two separate stints with the Braves, winning a title in his first stint and helping the Braves back into the postseason three years later.

There is a lot to like about the idea of picking up Soler, even if the Braves are mostly set offensively. Soler is off to a strong start this season and could be a real difference maker for Atlanta, or any contender.

Is His Start Sustainable?

Though most of his stats look pretty good, his average is only .224. Him being mainly a designated hitter also might limit his value a little bit, and he also hit just .215 last season with the Halos, so there could be concerns about being able to keep his average up.

It will be interesting to see if it is sustainable. If he can sustain it, then that could improve his value in a lot of ways and make him a very attractive trade chip. The Braves could potentially also still use him in the outfield.