While most of the Atlanta Braves enjoyed a few days off for the All-Star break, the rumor mill didn’t take a vacation, and Ozuna’s name just keeps swirling around the trade winds. With just two weeks left before the trade deadline, the question isn’t if the Braves might trade Ozuna—it’s starting to sound more like when.
“He’s Gonna Get Traded”
That’s not speculation from a random hot take on social media. That’s MLB insider Jon Heyman saying it loud and clear on Bleacher Report’s livestream Thursday.
According to Heyman, Ozuna is one of the top Braves players likely to be on the move, especially since his contract is expiring and Atlanta isn’t expected to give him a qualifying offer.
“He’s gonna get traded,” Heyman said bluntly.
And honestly, it tracks. Unless the Braves go on a miraculous heater over the next 10 games, the math isn’t pretty. They’re sitting well under .500, four starting pitchers are still buried on the 60-day IL, and the playoff window is starting to look like a distant mirage.
A Dip in Production, But Still Some Pop
Ozuna is slashing .239/.366/.396 through 90 games. That adds up to a .762 OPS, which, to be fair, is 163 points lower than last year when he blasted 39 homers and posted one of the best offensive seasons of his career. The bat hasn’t quite been the same, but there’s context here: Ozuna’s been dealing with a hip issue.
And yet, there’s still something there. He’s still showing good plate discipline and some pop. If he catches fire out of the break? Don’t be surprised if his market value spikes just in time for a contender to make a move.
Which MLB Team Might Bite On Braves Slugger?
There are a few teams out there in need of a DH boost. Maybe a club like the Mariners, who need another bat. Or a team like the Guardians, hanging in the Wild Card picture and looking to buy cheap power. Ozuna’s contract isn’t a burden, and for a team trying to make a run, a streaky veteran with playoff experience can be a valuable addition.
And let’s not forget—Ozuna’s been with Atlanta since 2020, hitting 140 homers over six seasons. He’s posted a significantly better OPS as a Brave than he ever did in Miami or St. Louis.
But baseball’s a business. The Braves know it. Ozuna knows it. And if Atlanta keeps slipping in the standings, keeping a rental bat with declining numbers doesn’t make a ton of sense—unless, somehow, there’s a surprise extension in the works.
The Braves open the second half with a series against the Yankees, Giants, Rangers, and Royals before that July 31 trade deadline hits. That’s the runway. That’s the test. If they take off, maybe they hold.
If not? Don’t be shocked when Ozuna’s packing bags by August 1st. Because, like Heyman said, he’s probably gone.
