Braves trade proposal moves on from 280 home run slugger in deal with Mariners

There have been multiple rumors over the past few weeks that the Atlanta Braves could move on from Marcell Ozuna.

Moving on from Ozuna makes sense in certain ways, as the Braves could lose him for nothing at the end of the season. 

After hitting 39 home runs in 2024 and 40 in 2023, losing Ozuna wouldn't be the best scenario for the Braves. 

However, if he wants to leave in free agency, and the Braves don't believe they have a chance to re-sign him, there could be a scenario where moving on from him now makes sense, even if the Braves are in contention. 

Trading him will likely come down to what other teams around the league value him at.

For a squad like the Seattle Mariners, who need offense more than any team in Major League Baseball, it makes perfect sense to take a chance on somebody like Ozuna, even if his position might not be the ideal spot for them to land.

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Greg Amsinger of MLB Network believes Ozuna will be traded this deadline, naming him one of the top five trade candidates in Major League Baseball. 

Depending on what the Mariners would be willing to give up, that could be the perfect team to trade him to, as they’re loaded with arms, which the Braves need. 

“I know you think the Braves are still a playoff team. They're turning things around. They could have an above .500 record by the end of the weekend. But Marcell Ozuna, if they're out of it, they've got to move on. His value is through the roof when he plays. He's massively important. So many teams need slug. They will give them tons of prospects for one Marcell Ozuna,” he said.

Ozuna has continued to swing the bat at a high level to start the year, hitting five home runs and posting a 156 OPS+. He should land the Braves a great haul if he’s dealt. 

Perhaps they'll want to keep Ozuna to make a postseason run, but if the Braves can strike while the iron is hot, why not do it?