The Atlanta Braves may not have secured Tarik Skubal or any of the premier starting pitchers available at the 2026 MLB trade deadline.
Still, they didn’t leave empty-handed, picking up right-handed starter Tyler Mahle from the San Francisco Giants and right-handed-hitting outfielder Lane Thomas from the Kansas City Royals.
Those two moves drew recognition from former MLB general manager Jim Bowden of The Athletic, who gave the Braves credit for effectively “blocking” the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies from acquiring either player both of whom happened to line up with Philadelphia’s most glaring roster needs.
Braves lauded for ‘blocking’ Phillies in Mahle, Thomas acquisitions
“Best job of blocking another team from getting players: Atlanta Braves blocking the Philadelphia Phillies from acquiring Tyler Mahle and Lane Thomas,” Bowden wrote.
Coming into the deadline, the Phillies had three primary areas they were looking to strengthen: starting pitching depth, bullpen reinforcements, and a right-handed outfield bat.
They managed to check the bullpen box and also brought in Luis Arraez to boost their offense. But they came away without a starter or a right-handed-hitting outfielder.
Bowden tipped his cap to the Braves for preventing the Phillies from filling those two remaining voids, especially since Thomas and Mahle would have been ideal targets given Philadelphia’s relatively thin farm system.
As Bowden pointed out, “Mahle and Thomas would have been perfect fits on their roster.”
Atlanta landed both, and while their own fanbase might not be thrilled with the overall haul, the fact that these additions kept the Phillies from upgrading could make the deadline feel like a more meaningful success.
Sure, the Braves would have preferred to add a frontline starter to complement Chris Sale. But even if that didn’t happen, they at least kept their top competitor from making significant strides this summer—and that carries its own value.
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