Things are simply not looking good for the 2025 Atlanta Braves.
Entering play on Friday, the Braves sit seven games out of a playoff spot at 37-43. Ronald Acuña Jr. is their only star living up to expectations at the plate, and they lost superstar pitcher Chris Sale to the injured list indefinitely over the weekend.
Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has been vocal about not wanting to sell at the trade deadline. This has been a playoff team every year since 2018, and they're still clinging to the outside chance they can make it back again.
But the Braves absolutely have to consider trading designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who will be a free agent at the end of the season and hit 79 home runs in the last two full seasons combined.
Will they pull the trigger? Nick Selbe of Sports Illustrated predicted Friday that ultimately, they won't feel like they're far enough out of the race.
"Ozuna’s power has significantly fallen off in his age-34 season, though he’s partially compensated by trailing only Juan Soto in walk rate (17.3%)," Selbe wrote.
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"It’s hard to imagine the Braves waving the white flag unless things really unravel, especially after they won the 2021 World Series with a late-season surge sparked by additions from GM Alex Anthopoulos. But if Atlanta ends up dealing anyone, it’ll probably be their only pending free agent of much value."
While Ozuna's drop in power can at least be partially attributed to a hip injury, the reality is that he's a diminished player right now. Some team might still want his watchful eye and experience, but he's a DH-only with a $16 million salary.
Missing the playoffs and hanging onto Ozuna certainly isn't ideal. But if the Braves aren't getting particularly exciting offers, they don't have much reason to wave the white flag.
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