Braves $80 million 3x All-Star could be trade candidate at deadline

It's been a reliable twelvemonth for nan Atlanta Braves. After 7 consecutive seasons successful nan postseason, including six National League East titles, nan squad is 28-38 and good retired of postseason contention.

While location is still clip for Atlanta to move things around, they person dug themselves a large hole, and whitethorn beryllium forced to waste astatine nan waste and acquisition deadline alternatively than effort to amended their roster.

One of their biggest waste and acquisition chips could beryllium designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. 

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report lists him arsenic nan third-best slugger disposable pinch nan deadline looming.

"For the first clip successful a agelong time, nan Braves mightiness beryllium sellers astatine nan waste and acquisition deadline," Miller wrote. "If that's nan case, nan bidding warfare for Marcell Ozuna's services mightiness beryllium nan communicative of nan summer."

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Ozuna is hitting .257/.395/.423 pinch 10 location runs, 30 RBI and an .818 OPS. He has been pinch nan Braves since 2022 and has been 1 of their apical sluggers.

But he is successful nan last twelvemonth of his statement pinch Atlanta, and teams will apt travel calling for his services if they want to make a run.

Chances of nan Braves coming retired of their funk look to beryllium slim. In that case, it appears apt that Atlanta will yet beryllium a seller alternatively than a buyer.

Ozuna is simply a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and a erstwhile Gold Glove winner. The 34-year-old still has a beardown way grounds of occurrence to autumn backmost on.

But Atlanta could bring backmost a coagulated haul for him if they waste and acquisition him and perchance group themselves up good for 2026 and beyond.

We'll spot what nan Braves determine to do.

More MLB: Braves predicted to nonstop conscionable 1 subordinate to 2025 All-Star Game successful Atlanta