Braves predicted to trade 3-time All-Star away this month

The Atlanta Braves have not met expectations this season, and they could part ways with some star players at the trade deadline. Marcell Ozuna could be a player the team moves on from.

Ozuna signed a four-year, $65 million deal with the Braves in 2021. He is playing on a $16 million club option this season and will be a free agent after the season. The Braves are making him available in trade talks as their postseason chances shrink, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

Ozuna is slashing .239/.366/.396 this season. His OPS+ is still above 100, and he could be valuable to some contenders looking for a designated hitter. FanSided's Nick Villano predicted the Braves would trade him away by the end of this month.

"He has been really good for the Braves, but he’s a free agent after this season, he’s exclusively a designated hitter, and he’s 34 years old. He works better as a bat for hire," wrote Villano. "The Seattle Mariners make too much sense here. They finally mixed their elite pitching with decent hitting, and adding Ozuna would give them a potent lineup for the playoffs."

Ozuna is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. He could be a huge addition to a needy offense in Seattle. However, his lack of ability on defense could limit which teams will want to trade for him.

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Even if Ozuna is not an MVP candidate like he was last season, he is still a good player. The Braves' season has been a disaster, and they may let Ozuna walk in free agency. They might as well flip him for some sort of return.

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