Phillies Land Braves' Marcell Ozuna to Solve Outfield Issues in Trade Idea
Phillies Land Braves' Marcell Ozuna to Solve Outfield Issues in Trade Idea originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies need a centerfielder.
With the options they have in right and left field, it'd make sense if the Phillies go after a center fielder at the trade deadline.
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However, with this team in its current position and needing to win a World Series within the next year or two before the core continues to age, there's reason to believe that Dave Dombrowski could pursue the best player available.
If that's the case, Jeff Passan of ESPN recently suggested that Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna could be available.
Yes, the Phillies and Braves trading together might not be too likely, but the Phillies have the farm system to get the job done if Atlanta is willing to send him to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) makes a pitching change during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park.Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
'There's a chance Alex Anthopoulos, Atlanta's aggressive president of baseball operations, sees this season not as an anomaly but as a continuation of last year and entertains moving one of the Braves' core players. Absent that, in Ozuna, an impending free agent, the Braves have perhaps the best bat that could be available,' he wrote.
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The Phillies and Ozuna would have to get creative in the outfield, which is a bit of a worry given that he isn't a great defender.
However, it's tough to ignore what he can do offensively.
He currently leads the National League in walks and has 10 home runs, 25 RBI, and a 153 OPS+.
After hitting 39 home runs in 2024 and 40 in 2020, the 34-year-old is set to get a huge payday this winter. If the Braves don't plan on being the team that gives him that money, they might be willing to move him for a big haul.
Related: Phillies' Matt Strahm Sends Four-Word Message Amid Jeff Hoffman Decision
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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