The Atlanta Braves didn’t just step into 2025 with optimism — they carried a quiet confidence that this season belonged to them. With a loaded lineup, experienced pitching, and a front office built for winning, the pieces were in place. Until they weren’t.
Now sitting at 27-37 after dropping seven straight, the Braves are facing a harsh reality check — one hitting harder than Georgia heat in July. While there’s still a mathematical chance for a turnaround, the current momentum points in the opposite direction. It’s not impossible, but it’s slipping further out of reach.
Well below .500, Atlanta is quickly falling out of the National League playoff conversation — and in a league where average won’t cut it, every loss feels like another brick in the wall blocking their path to October. And that wall’s getting taller by the day.
If this downward spiral continues into July, the Braves may have to consider a move few would have predicted: becoming sellers at the trade deadline.
Marcell Ozuna: Atlanta’s best trade chip
Should the Braves shift into sell mode, Marcell Ozuna will be the player drawing the most attention — and for good reason. At 34, his defensive value is minimal, but the bat still plays. Think of him like an old-school muscle car: maybe not practical everywhere, but capable of blowing past the competition when conditions are right.
So far this year, he’s slashing .257/.397/.430 with a 137 wRC+, 10 home runs, and an elite 18.7% walk rate. He gets on base, hits for power, and controls the strike zone — a premium combination for teams looking to add pop to the middle of their order.
What could the Braves get in return?
Ozuna’s trade value is enhanced by two big factors: he’s producing at a high level and he’s on an expiring deal. That means he won’t break the bank in a trade, but he won’t come cheap either.
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is known for keeping things close to the vest, so don’t expect rumors to spill — but a major prospect haul is unlikely. Ozuna’s age, defensive limits, and short-term contract cap the ceiling of a return, but a couple of solid young players? Absolutely possible.
For contenders, he’s a low-risk, high-reward rental — exactly the kind of move that can tilt the balance in a tight playoff race.
Teams that should be calling
Any team with a sluggish DH spot should be on the phone. The Mariners, Astros, Giants, and Padres all stand out as logical destinations. Seattle and Houston, in particular, could use Ozuna’s bat to ignite inconsistent offenses.
San Diego, never shy about bold moves, is another candidate — if they stay in the NL hunt. Even teams with strong lineups might see Ozuna as October insurance: a veteran bat who can change a game in one swing.
Time to decide: reload or retool?
The next few weeks will define Atlanta’s season. Do they stay the course and hope for a late surge? Or cash in while assets still carry value?
Ozuna represents a rare trade piece: a veteran hitter still performing at a high level, on a short-term deal, with clear appeal for playoff-bound clubs. He won’t fetch a franchise-altering return, but he might bring back the kind of young talent that helps reset for 2026.
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