The Atlanta Braves are six games out of a wild card spot entering play on Tuesday. They may not quite be sellers at the trade deadline, but could make some calculated moves.
Marcell Ozuna will be a free agent after the year ends. If the Braves are on the playoff bubble, they could consider parting ways with him. If they claw themselves into postseason position in the next month, Ozuna likely won’t be traded. However, if they fall out of contention completely, Ozuna could be the first player to go.
His lack of defensive ability limits where he could be dealt, but FanSided’s Mark Powell suggested he could get traded to the San Francisco Giants. The Giants recently acquired Rafael Devers, who was the full-time DH for the Boston Red Sox. However, the team has noted he will figure into their plans at first base. Adding Ozuna to the lineup would make Devers a full-time first baseman.
“The Giants traded for Rafael Devers last week, but aren’t done adding just yet,” wrote Powell. “Buster Posey has made it crystal clear that the Giants are all-in. Devers may be the new face of their franchise, but they’re not in a comfortable enough position to overtake the Dodgers just yet. However, if they added Ozuna into the middle of their lineup, they’d be a real threat to win the NL West, and make a deep postseason run.”
Rafael Devers is still working out at first base and has not made an appearance there yet. He has been a third baseman for most of his career, although he has four total appearances at shortstop and second base. He needs to be an everyday player, and Ozuna would take up the DH spot.
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The Giants have Matt Chapman, so third base is also not available. Devers is already part of the team’s plans at first base, but to add a bat like Ozuna, they would definitely consider making Devers the full-time first baseman. Devers has already said he is willing to play wherever the Giants ask him to.
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