The Atlanta Braves are nine games out of a Wild Card spot and 13 1/2 games back of the National League East lead. They could start trading some pending free agents near the trade deadline.
There is still time for the Braves to turn things around. However, if they are not within striking distance of a postseason spot by July 31, they may find it wise to trade Marcell Ozuna. Ozuna is playing on a $16 million club option this year and will be a free agent next winter. He signed a four-year, $65 million deal in 2021.
If Ozuna is made available, many teams will be interested in landing him. He is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. He has 10 home runs this season, and BALLCAP Sports’ Jim Riley tabbed the Texas Rangers as a fit for him.
“The Texas Rangers are next and this team needs to start hitting in the worst way,” said Riley. “They need to be able to slug when they start hitting, so I’m going to go out and grab Marcell Ozuna as the best fit here for the Texas Rangers.”
The Rangers have the 19th most home runs, the third-worst slugging percentage and the third-fewest hits in the league this year. To say they need some offense would be an understatement. They are 5 1/2 games back of the lead in the American League West and 4 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the AL.
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The Braves may not even have to have a fire sale for Ozuna to be available. He is going to hit the open market anyway, and the Braves may be willing to part ways with him even if they are not completely out of contention.
“I think the Braves could trade Ozuna even if they do not go into a full sale mode,” said Riley.
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