# Why Atlanta Braves Need A Lefty Masher at 2026 MLB Trade Deadline

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-braves-daily-podcast-on-the-atlanta-braves-526948/why-atlanta-braves-need-a-lefty-masher-at-2026-mlb-trade-deadline
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-braves-daily-podcast-on-the-atlanta-braves-526948/why-atlanta-braves-need-a-lefty-masher-at-2026-mlb-trade-deadline.md
Podcast: [Locked On Braves - Daily Podcast On The Atlanta Braves](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-braves-daily-podcast-on-the-atlanta-braves-526948)
Published: 2026-07-24T02:57:35+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-braves/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/fa8ba5/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/81f61e14-13a6-4a69-aeac-c24e31303b02/episodes/343e8b42-4438-47c1-a524-2e5eb952ecde/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=81f61e14-13a6-4a69-aeac-c24e31303b02&awEpisodeId=343e8b42-4438-47c1-a524-2e5eb952ecde&feed=A8cRG01Y
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Duration seconds: 1908

## Resource

Atlanta Braves face a critical offensive gap as their right-handed bats continue to struggle against left-handed pitching. Can Alex Anthopoulos find the “lefty masher” the lineup desperately needs at the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline? Jake Mastroianni spotlights Atlanta's sharp performance drop versus southpaws, with stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley underperforming, and analyzes why internal fixes may not be enough. The conversation breaks down player splits, trade market targets like Spencer Steer, Taylor Ward, and Heliot Ramos, and the looming roster crunch as Ronald Acuña Jr., Ha-Seong Kim, and Sean Murphy near returns. Key topics include Dominic Smith’s uncertain role despite clutch moments, potential upgrades over Eli White, and the Braves’ playoff outlook with upcoming series against the Baltimore Orioles. Can the Braves shore up this one glaring weakness before October?

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## Transcript

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