Guardians get updated trade demands for Braves' Marcell Ozuna

One of the most pressing needs for the Cleveland Guardians is more power in the lineup. With the team looking for a new first baseman, designated hitter, and right fielder, there are plenty of paths for the team to take in finding a solution. One of the top options for the Guardians is Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Braves are not looking to simply trade Ozuna or their players away for prospects. The updated trade demands point to the team looking for more MLB-ready players, with the mindset that 2026 is the year, not far in the future.

"GMs who have spoken to Atlanta recently are convinced that Alex Anthopoulos has zero interest in giving up players for prospects at the trade deadline," Nightengale reported.

This update from Nightengale is eye-catching. He doesn't say that the Braves aren't going to sell, but rather, they aren't looking for prospects. This implication leads the Braves' demands for their players to be MLB-ready talent that can start right away. 

With the Braves sitting 13 games back in the NL East, they aren't likely to make up that ground in time for the postseason. That, combined with their current team being strong despite the bad start, points towards the team looking to the 2026 season as the year for the Braves to rebound.

For the guardians, this makes things both interesting and complicated. There are a few players on the MLB roster, or in the Minor Leagues, who could draw some trade interest. But, with the Braves not interested in prospects, their pool of assets is a bit more limited.

Whatever the Guardians can offer, they need to be a player who's MLB-ready in 2025 and is under team control in at least 2026. While players like Nolan Jones, Lane Thomas, and Emmanuel Clase could be trade options, the Braves might not have interest in those players. Shane Bieber could also be a trade candidate, though there is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to who the Braves would want if they aren't sellers, nor considered buyers.

The Guardians need a player like Marcell Ozuna, who's batting .253 with 11 home runs and 60 hits in 2025. But, with this update from Nightengale on the Braves' trade demands, the odds don't look great in their pursuit of Ozuna.

Despite the interest, there might not be much the Guardians can do with what the Braves want for their players. The Guardians have to hope the Braves change their mind and allow for prospects to be the centerpiece in the deal; otherwise, the Guardians might be out of the Ozuna sweepstakes.