Braves designated batsman Marcell Ozuna is one of the most obvious trade candidates for the team. He is a 34-year-old free agent at the Atlanta Club, which is under 0.500 and plans to listen to rental veterans starting from now until July 31 deadline. Ozuna fell into a terrible downturn, hitting only .165/.257/.271 in the last 153 trips to the plate. Ozuna still hit .235/.361/.390 throughout the season, which is good for the 115 WRC+, but he hasn’t done his best in the set recently.
This led to the Braves sweeping the roster at the cost of Ozuna’s playing time. Atlanta is beginning Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy – One at Catcher, the other at DH, twice in the first series of the informal second half of the season. Manager Brian Snitker made it clear to the team’s pace that the arrangement would extend more frequently (via MLB.com’s Mark Bowman link).
Ozuna will still start, but there may be a more selective match. He started Sunday’s game Marcus Stroman Because he had faced Stroman before (Murphy did not) and opposed him. Snitker noted: “If [Ozuna] Will be here, he won’t rot [on the bench]. ”
Nevertheless, it makes it clear that Ozuna’s days as a regular player in Atlanta were largely exhausted. This fact can only be strengthened by the action of a designated outfielder this morning Stuart Fairchild To get the veteran catcher Sandy Leon Enter the major league roster as the third catcher. Leon probably won’t play too much, but sending his roster will prevent Baldwin or Murphy from protecting him from injury in the first day of both.
Ozuna kept an optimistic attitude and told the brave that he would be just “[stay] Active and ready to give me a chance” (via link from David O’Brien of Track and Field). He notes that he works for the brave and accepts any decisions they make, which are beyond control. [president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos]that’s what they’re working on. ”
This is a noteworthy comment for a number of reasons. First, it seems to indicate that Ozuna knows that some trade negotiations have been conducted. Anyway, this is widely assumed, but Ozuna’s comments provide some other support for this idea. Secondly, even when asked if he wanted to stay in Atlanta for a long time, Ozuna did not mention his untrade protection. The experienced Slugger has over 10 years of service, including the past five with the same team, which has given him a full veto in any trade. If Ozuna intends to be selective at the destination, then he will not reach out. Given that he has effectively relegated to a bench for a non-competitive club, perhaps he welcomes any chance to bring more game time and greater chances to return to the playoffs.
Ozuna, closer Raisel Iglesias – Both of the upcoming free agents are seen as Atlanta’s most likely to change hands. Relief Rafael Montero It is also a free agent at the end of the season and can move. Braves have 2026 club options on Righty Pierce Johnson It is reported that in addition to club control and club control transactions after this season have been closed, but Bob Nightclub, USA Today reported yesterday that the Braves also let other clubs know that Johnson can also be used.
Johnson, 34, is a significant addition to the summer cattle stock market. He made 7mm this year and has a club choice for 2026, with the same value. It comes with a $250,000 acquisition. It’s a very reasonable price for the right-hander, who is in the best season of his career.
In 35 2/3 innings, Johnson reached an average run of 2.78 while slamming 27.9% of his opponents. He also had a career-low walking rate of 7.1%. He has been extinguishing lately, with 1.80 ERA in 15 innings since the calendar turned to June, with a 16-5 k/bb ratio in 15 innings. Johnson has taken eight holdings and has saved the savings this season. The guaranteed salary this year is still about 2.6mm, plus the $250,000 acquisition. Of course, if he continues to pitch at this level, the right-handed net $6.75mm option would be a fairly simple exercise call.
