The Cleveland Guardians need more offensive firepower as the MLB trade deadline approaches. While there will be plenty of competition for outfielders and first basemen, the Guardians are also likely to be in the market for a designated hitter, especially after Kyle Manzardo has cooled off lately.
One possible trade target for the Guardians is Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. In an article from Zachary Rotman on Fansided, the Braves’ superstar designated hitter was linked to the Guardians as the best fit for the Guardians.
“For the Guardians to finally get over the hump,” Rotman writes. “They’ll need to add a big bat to their lineup. There’s a good chance Ozuna will be the biggest bat out there. Considering how good of a fit he’d be with their AL Central rivals, the Guardians can’t let Ozuna out of their grasp.”
The Braves slugger has a career total of 285 home runs, with 10 coming in 2025. Ozuna has a .257 batting average with an .815 OPS on the year. Of the Guardians’ entire roster, only Jose Ramirez has a higher OPS than Ozuna, as every other batter for Cleveland is below an .800 OPS.
Fortunately for the Guardians, the Braves have struggled in 2025, as they sit nine games out of a Wild Card spot and 15 games behind the New York Mets for the National League East division lead. Combined with Ozuna being in the final year of his deal, it would make a ton of sense for the Braves to ship off Ozuna for prospects while they still can.
For Cleveland, adding a player of Ozuna’s caliber to their batting lineup would be a huge boost to an otherwise lackluster offense. With a clear need for hitting, and Ozuna likely becoming available, a trade proposal for the Guardians to land Ozuna makes a ton of sense.
