Let’s discuss the potential Marcell Ozuna trade idea for the Atlanta Braves. On the surface, keeping Ozuna around seems like a no-brainer as he was the Braves’ most consistent hitter last season, after all. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that there’s actually a pretty solid case to be made for shopping him this offseason.
Zachary Rymer from Bleacher Report stirred the pot a bit by floating an unpopular trade proposal for each team. His suggestion for the Braves? Trade Ozuna. While this might raise some eyebrows, especially since the Braves are expected to exercise his 2025 club option, that doesn’t mean they can’t trade him. In fact, exercising the option might make him even more tradable—after all, he’s still producing at a high level, but there are some future-oriented moves Atlanta should consider.
Rymer laid it out clearly: If the Braves keep Ozuna, they will create a serious logjam at the designated hitter spot, especially once Jorge Soler, who the Braves re-acquired at the deadline, returns. Both players are mostly suited for DH duties. And while it’s not an easy call, Soler is younger, slightly more durable, and is also pulling in $16 million next season. Rymer’s point? While Marcell Ozuna may be the better hitter today, Soler might be a smarter long-term investment.
But it’s not just about Soler versus Ozuna. Ronald Acuña Jr. will be back in right field, locking down that spot. Michael Harris II is the Braves’ mainstay in center. Then there’s left field, which could be filled by players like Jarred Kelenic or Ramon Laureano, who are under team control.
There’s some debate about whether Kelenic should be benched, but the fact remains—Atlanta has options in the outfield that don’t involve Ozuna. Once you get through those names, it becomes pretty clear that Ozuna’s lack of defensive versatility makes him the odd man out.
So, what’s the play here? Trading Ozuna now would mean moving him at peak value. His stock is high after a strong season, and the Braves could fetch a solid return, possibly a younger, Major League-ready player who could offer more long-term upside.
Even though the idea of dealing Marcell Ozuna may not be popular with fans, the logic behind it is hard to ignore. The Braves have a crowded outfield, and Ozuna’s DH role may be better suited for Soler in the coming seasons. It’s not that he isn’t valuable, it’s that moving him now could set the Braves up for success in the long run.
The unpopular opinion might actually be the smart one here. By dealing from a position of strength, the Braves could keep their championship window open even longer, bringing in a younger piece or two to sustain their momentum.
