Few prognosticators expected to see the Atlanta Braves languishing outside the National League playoff race, let alone with a losing record, two months into the season.
Yet, at 27-37 through Sunday, it’s increasingly clear this isn’t the Braves’ year. An 0-7 start to the season, combined with another 0-7 start in June, has left them with little choice but to consider scrapping plans to contend for a championship in October.
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If Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos decides to become a seller at the July 31 trade deadline, he has plenty of players who will draw interest from rival GMs.
Pitcher Chris Sale, 36, is following up his National League Cy Young Award season with a solid 2.93 ERA through 13 starts. Closer Raisel Iglesias, 35, has struggled with hard contact all season and has a 6.75 ERA, yet could draw interest as a veteran reliever on an expiring contract. Most of the Braves’ vaunted lineup is 30 or younger, and could net an enticing prospect package in return.
Yet only one Atlanta player is a possibility to be made available at the trade deadline, according to a new report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
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“No matter where Atlanta is are at the trade deadline, the team isn’t expected to be a seller at the deadline – with the possible exception of DH Marcell Ozuna, who’s a free agent after the season,” Nightengale wrote Sunday. “Atlanta still has a fabulous young nucleus, Cy Young winner Chris Sale back for another season, a healthy Spencer Strider, and MVP Ronald Acuña Jr,. a year removed from ACL surgery.”
Nightengale expects the Braves will pick up Sale’s $18 million club option for 2026 — a relatively easy call so long as he remains healthy.
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As for the hitters, only Ozuna, left fielder Jurickson Profar (currently serving an 80-game suspension for violating MLB’s PED policy), and his replacement Alex Verdugo (whose .621 OPS might make him difficult to trade) aren’t under team control beyond this year.
Ozuna, 34, is having a typically productive season at DH. He’s slashing .257/.397/.430 through Sunday, with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs. Although he doesn’t offer much by way of defense, Ozuna’s .827 OPS is fifth among all designated hitters with at least 100 plate appearances through Sunday.
That’s certainly enough to cause a stir on the trade market, if indeed he’s available. For now, the Braves have time to convince Anthopoulos not to cause a stir.
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