One of the biggest storylines with the Atlanta Braves coming out of the trade deadline had nothing to do with any moves they did made, but instead it was the moves that they didn’t make. Other than a couple minor moves, the Braves pretty much stood pat despite being out of the playoff race and having multiple pending free agents on their roster including designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.
Normally, a player like Ozuna would be prime trade fodder. Ozuna has a track record of hitting at a high level in a market that didn’t have many good hitters, he is a pending free agent that was very unlikely to re-sign with the Braves this coming offseason, and Atlanta needed an infusion of talent in the minors. Still, the trade deadline came and went and Ozuna’s trade market never materialized the way Atlanta wanted.
One would think that the lack of a trade in addition to Ozuna’s recent hot streak could increase the likelihood that the Braves would try to keep him. However, Atlanta should avoid the temptation to do so.
Marcell Ozuna has been great lately, but the Braves should still move on
It is undeniable that Ozuna has been playing much better lately. Over his last 12 games, Ozuna is slashing .314/.457/.829 with six homers. One suspects that there are a few contending teams who needed a bat at the deadline who are kicking themselves right now for not pushing harder to acquire him from the Braves.
However, the facts for the Braves’ remain the same. They still have Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy that they want to give regular at-bats to at designated hitter and Ozuna is going to require real money to try and sign as a free agent. With so many holes on their roster at shortstop, the rotation, and the bullpen, paying Ozuna to DH again just doesn’t make much sense especially at his age and with that lingering hip injury of his.
Still, there are going to be those that see these late season dingers out of Ozuna and will be convinced that he is going to be a MVP candidate again next year and letting him leave would be a mistake. It is on the Braves’ front office to not succumb to those calls and to put that money to better use.
