The Atlanta Braves have been quite disappointing this season, and it could result in a shocking trade deadline in Atlanta.
The Braves will likely sell most of their expiring contracts ahead of the trade deadline, including superstar designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.
FanSided’s Cody Williams recently predicted the Braves would cut ties with Ozuna ahead of the upcoming deadline in a massive deal.
“Make no mistake, trading Marcell Ozuna won’t be as easy as some are trying to make it seem,” Williams wrote. “The Braves are certainly motivated to do so in the final year of the slugger’s contract, but his 10-5 veto rights allow effectively give him a no-trade clause if he doesn’t like the deal that Atlanta is about to make. On top of that, Ozuna has dropped off a bit from his monster form of a year ago.
“While his .762 OPS is a far cry from the .900+ mark he posted in each of the past two seasons, it’s obvious why a buying contender would one of the more proven power bats on the market. Teams like the Houston Astros, who are still without Yordan Alvarez, could use that power at DH, and others like the San Francisco Giants have already proven their aggression on the trade market, but could still use more pop in the lineup.”
Trading Ozuna won’t be a walk in the park for the Braves, but there are enough teams in the league who would be willing to trade for him that a deal will likely come to fruition.
Atlanta is unlikely to retain him in free agency after this season, so a trade makes even more sense. With teams like the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres desperate for production in the loaded National League West, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them in the hunt for Ozuna.
The Braves likely won’t net a haul for him, but a mid-level prospect or two should get a deal done.