Braves' Big Reason To Trade Slugging Bat Amid Tumultuous Season
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The Atlanta Braves' season hasn't gone as they had hoped after just narrowly missing out on the playoffs last year.
The Braves are entering the second half of the season in fourth place in the National League East and with little hope of clawing back into the playoff race, are presumably preparing to sell at the deadline.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 12: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 12, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 12: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 12, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri.
Photo byThe Braves have said that they want to be competitive again next season, and therefore many of their club-controlled players will be staying put. That, however, does not include the expiring contract of Marcell Ozuna, who has declined slightly this season but is still a daunting bat in the heart of any lineup.
Mark Powell of FanSided provides an intriguing proposition as to why the Braves should move Ozuna as soon as they can; that reason is Drake Baldwin.
The Braves have plenty to gain by opening the door for their rookie catcher to garner more playing time in the second half. Not only would the experience allow for the youngster to grow, but the Braves can earn a first-round comp pick in next year's draft if Baldwin were to beat out Jacob Misiorowski for the National League Rookie of the Year.
Baldwin has hit .279 during his rookie campaign with 11 home runs in just 65 games played. Baldwin has a long way to go, along with needing Misiorowski to struggle in the second half to win the award, but it isn't impossible.
While not at his peak anymore, Ozuna will still require a healthy return for the Braves to part with him, along with allowing Baldwin to see more at-bats in the designated hitter role. Moving Ozuna looks like a no-brainer for the Braves.
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