Braves Cutting Ties With Marcell Ozuna? Rangers, Padres Reportedly Teams to Watch
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The Atlanta Braves aren't just in the middle of a disappointing season in which they've become trade deadline sellers. They also don't have much to sell.
Shipping Rafael Montero to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday was something, but compared to the other teams whose playoff odds have disappeared, the Braves have very few chips to move. Two other names to monitor are designated hitter Marcell Ozuna and closer Raisel Iglesias.
Both players were huge parts of the Braves' success last season, and if we'd known before Opening Day that either would be available at the trade deadline, we'd have been shocked.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 08: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a double in the top of the second inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 08, 2025...
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 08: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a double in the top of the second inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 08, 2025 in Sacramento, California. MoreBut stocks are down on both players, and the Braves just have to take whatever they can get as they head toward free agency. Perhaps, though, a couple teams' dire needs will lead to a bit of a market for Ozuna.
On Thursday, ESPN's David Schoenfield noted that the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers both have such negligible production from the DH position that they might get involved in the Ozuna sweepstakes.
"Ozuna's trade value is diminished since he's strictly a DH and has struggled for two months after posting a .426 OBP and .883 OPS through the end of May. Since then, he has hit .176 with a .600 OPS and has lost some of his DH at-bats to rookie catcher Drake Baldwin," wrote Schoenfield.
"But there's no reason for the Braves to keep him, and the Rangers and Padres happen to have the worst DH production in the majors and could take a chance on an Ozuna hot streak. He did indeed homer Monday and Tuesday, so maybe one is coming."
Ozuna, a 34-year-old three-time All-Star, owns a .759 OPS/114 OPS+ on the season. Most teams don't want even a slightly above-average hitter clogging up their DH spot, but the Rangers and Padres, both of whom have a legitimate shot at a wild-card spot, might be desperate enough.
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