The Atlanta Braves’ season is off to a poor start. If things continue to go this way, then they could find themselves selling at the trade deadline this summer.
The Braves have most of their star players signed to long-term deals. However, Marcell Ozuna does not fall into that category. Ozuna signed a four-year, $65 million deal in 2021. He is playing on a $16 million option this season and is projected to hit free agency after the season. Sports Illustrated’s Colin Keane suggested that the New York Yankees could try and pry him away from the Braves near the trade deadline.
“The Yankees have historically gone after impact bats on the trade market, and they often don’t care if their target player doesn’t fit perfectly into their defensive or lineup scheme,” wrote Keane. “They make it work. Jazz Chisholm being acquired at least year’s deadline and shifting over to third base is the most recent example. If New York is eyeing Ozuna, they’ll do everything they can to pry him away from Atlanta and worry about the depth chart consequences later.”
Ozuna is slashing .318/.500/.530 this year with four home runs and a league-leading 24 walks. The Yankees should be getting Giancarlo Stanton back at some point. However, if something happens and he cannot rejoin the team, Ozuna would be a great player to slot in at DH.
Spotrac projects him to sign a four-year, $77 million deal in free agency. If the Braves’ season continues to slip away, they will be open to getting some sort of return for the remainder of Ozuna’s contract.
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Ozuna has hit 83 home runs since the start of 2023. He is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. He could be a great addition to a lineup that already features Aaron Judge. Even if Stanton comes back, the Yankees may be willing to deal with Ozuna’s poor defense just to keep his bat in the lineup.
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