Braves eye Trevor Story as a potential shortstop upgrade if his opt-out after this season becomes reality. Story has posted a solid line for the Red Sox this year (.260/.744 with 23 homers, 86 RBI, 3.5 bWAR), offering power and steady defense at a premium position. Atlanta already added Ha-Seong Kim, which could temper any move unless Kim tests free agency. The chatter centers on a three-year deal in the $60-70 million range, with Story pushing for more than $25 million per season.

Kim’s early impact and health questions complicate the calculus. If Kim stays healthy and opts in, Atlanta may prefer to keep him, narrowing the Story path. If Kim tests the market, Story becomes an attractive, high-cost alternative, though the contract and opt-out dynamics will shape the Braves offseason strategy and Boston’s leverage remains a factor.