.jpg)
4 hours ago
1
Marcell Ozuna’s time in Atlanta might be running out.
The 34-year-old designated hitter has seen his role start to shrink after a sluggish start to the season, and with the trade deadline closing in, the Atlanta Braves could be preparing to shop the veteran slugger one last time.
Could the Braves finally be ready to move on from Marcell Ozuna?
Ozuna’s production has taken a noticeable dip in 2025. Through 90 games, he’s hitting .239 with a .762 OPS and 13 homers, a big drop from the All-Star level he showed just a year ago when he finished fourth in NL MVP voting. Now, with the Braves battling inconsistency and stuck in the middle of a tight playoff race, his spot in the lineup is no longer guaranteed.
A subtle move that spoke volumes
Manager Brian Snitker recently announced that Sean Murphy and rookie Drake Baldwin will rotate between catcher and designated hitter, a move that effectively sidelines Ozuna. What raised eyebrows wasn’t the change itself, it was how it was delivered. Snitker never spoke directly with Ozuna about the decision. Instead, he addressed the entire team and made it clear that only the most productive players would be in the lineup moving forward.
A likely trade chip with an expiring contract
Ozuna is in the final year of his deal, which only adds fuel to the speculation. With no long-term commitment and his numbers down, the Braves may see this as the right time to part ways, especially if they can secure bullpen help or a versatile bat in return.
It wouldn’t be the first time his name floated around the rumor mill, but this time feels different. The stats aren’t there, the playing time is fading, and the relationship between player and manager appears strained.
MORE: Bombs away: Eugenio Suarez takes over top spot in National League
Atlanta’s front office has shown it’s not afraid to make bold moves, and if there’s a deal to be made, Ozuna could be on the move before the deadline.
His Braves tenure includes 140 home runs and a .268 average over six seasons. But if the front office sees more value in flexibility than loyalty, the next chapter in his career could begin sooner than expected.
More MLB News:
English (US)