Braves Falling Apart — And a Marcell Ozuna Trade Feels Inevitable
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Atlanta Braves are a mess. Sure, they finally grabbed a series win over the Brewers on Wednesday — their first in nearly a month — but at 29-38, they’re a staggering 14 games behind the division-leading Mets and 9.5 games back from a Wild Card spot. Time’s ticking, and let’s be real — the odds of a postseason miracle are slim.
That’s why a Marcell Ozuna trade looks more likely by the day.
The 34-year-old slugger has been one of the league’s top designated hitters this season, even while battling through injury. But between his limited defensive value, his age, and his expiring contract, it’s hard to imagine he’s still in a Braves uniform come August. Atlanta would be smart to sell high in what’s shaping up to be a seller’s market — and reload for 2026.
If the Braves do pull the trigger, these four teams should be lining up to land him:
4. Detroit Tigers: The Right-Handed Power Bat They Desperately Need
The Tigers are shockingly one of baseball’s best teams — and it’s time for them to go all-in. Their lineup is loaded with lefties, making them predictable and easy to match up against late in games. Ozuna would instantly balance the order and bring some serious thunder to the middle of the lineup.
Detroit’s offense is solid but could use a boost. Ozuna’s bat could take them from good to dangerous — a no-brainer move for a team trying to capitalize on a rare shot at contention.
3. San Francisco Giants: Missing That One Big Bat
The Giants are right in the thick of the NL West race, just half a game behind the Dodgers, despite being near the bottom of the league in runs, homers, and OPS. Their pitching is elite — their offense is… not.
Marcell Ozuna
That’s where Ozuna comes in. He’d be the biggest power threat in San Francisco’s lineup, even as a DH-only option. Sure, the fit isn’t perfect defensively, but the offense needs a jolt, and Ozuna could be the X-factor that keeps the Giants from fading in a stacked division.
2. Kansas City Royals: Not a Perfect Fit — But the Perfect Bat
The Royals have been stuck in mediocrity all season, despite elite pitching. They rank near the bottom of MLB in every major offensive category. Ozuna would be their second-best hitter immediately, and maybe their most dangerous.
Even if his role doesn’t fit cleanly in their current roster setup, the Royals need production badly enough that it doesn’t matter. Playoff teams hit — and right now, Kansas City doesn’t.
1. Cleveland Guardians: This Could Be the Missing Piece
The Guardians are competitive — again — but let’s be honest, outside of José Ramírez and Steven Kwan, this lineup is seriously lacking pop. Bo Naylor is third on the team in home runs. Yikes.
Cleveland’s pitching can carry them, but they won’t survive October without a legit power bat. Ozuna could be the guy who finally gets them over the hump. And if you’re Cleveland, you can’t risk letting a division rival like Detroit or Kansas City grab him first.
Bottom line: If the Braves are out — and it’s looking that way — Ozuna becomes one of the most valuable trade chips on the market. And with contenders hungry for offense, he won’t stay in Atlanta much longer.
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