A year ago, the Braves had the kind of problem every contender dreams of: too many productive bats and not enough lineup spots. Now, just weeks from the trade deadline, they’re staring down a very different kind of problem: deciding whether to offload a once-untouchable slugger whose production has plummeted at the worst possible time. The vibes in Atlanta have shifted. With the team sitting well below .500 and postseason hopes fading fast, the front office is being pushed toward a reluctant reality: sell, and sell smart.
At the center of this sudden shift is Marcell Ozuna, the $65 million designated hitter who led the team in RBIs last season but now looks like a shell of himself. Since June, he’s batting just .175, and his once-lock status in the lineup has started to fade. Ozuna isn’t just a player underperforming; he’s a player with 10-and-5 rights, meaning he can veto any trade the Braves try to make. That’s a wrinkle Atlanta didn’t expect to navigate mid-season, and it’s complicating what should be a straightforward deadline approach.
“They need to be sellers at this point,” MLB insider Jon Heyman said bluntly this week. “Ozuna, I think, is being a little bit generous there. It is a little bit up to him because he does have 10-and-5 veto rights. But I do believe that he would accept a trade at this point, as his role has been diminished.” Heyman also downplayed the idea that other core names, like Sean Murphy, Austin Riley, or Ozzie Albies, would be moved, leaving Ozuna and a handful of relievers as the most likely Braves to go.
“I do believe that [Marcell Ozuna] would accept a trade.”@JonHeyman weighs in on the Braves’ potential moves as the Trade Deadline draws near and the Padres’ priorities for additions.#MLBCentral pic.twitter.com/0AT3THweEk
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 22, 2025
That narrows the focus, but not the complexity. Ozuna’s contract still looms large, and any potential suitor would likely demand Atlanta eat a chunk of it to facilitate a deal. Yet even in a slump, his bat holds intrigue, especially for teams desperate for power. In the right context, a fresh start could reignite his swing.
For now, the Braves appear to be in a tight situation. They’re not blowing it up, but they’re not doubling down either. If Ozuna doesn’t start performing, it might lead to an awkward farewell sooner than expected.
Braves eye Marcell Ozuna trade as Padres emerge among top suitors.
The Atlanta Braves appear ready to pivot toward a mini-sell-off, and Marcell Ozuna is at the heart of it. With the team slipping out of playoff contention and Ozuna’s contract set to expire, Atlanta is reportedly looking to move all of its pending free agents ahead of the deadline. The 33-year-old designated hitter, who led the team with 39 home runs and a .302 average last season, has seen a dip in power numbers this year, but he still carries value, especially for a playoff contender looking to add veteran pop.
One such contender is the San Diego Padres, who have struggled to find stability at the DH spot. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, San Diego should be among the teams aggressively pursuing Ozuna. “Ozuna is a stone-cold DH,” Passan noted, “playing two games in the field in 2023 as his last regular-season experience defensively.” He added that despite a drop from last season’s numbers, Ozuna remains valuable: “His on-base percentage remains among the highest of potential trade candidates.” Heading into Monday, Ozuna was hitting .235 with 13 home runs, 42 RBIs, and a 112 OPS+, a solid, if not flashy, mid-season line.
Passan also listed four other potential fits for Ozuna: Seattle, Texas, Detroit, and San Francisco, all playoff hopefuls with room for a power upgrade. The appeal for these teams is clear. Ozuna is a rental, meaning the return package won’t be steep, and any team acquiring him would be free to walk away this winter, or re-sign him if he clicks.
Padres GM A.J. Preller is no stranger to bold, creative moves, and with two months left in the regular season, Ozuna could be the kind of low-risk swing that pays off big.
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