BRAVES TRADE AWAY ANOTHER STAR! $150M SUPERSTAR HEADED TO [MYSTERY TEAM] IN BLOCKBUSTER DEAL (INSIDER REVEALS ALL!) 🚨

The Atlanta Braves didn’t just step into 2025 with optimism—they held a quiet belief that this season was theirs for the taking. Their lineup was loaded, the pitching staff experienced, and the front office built to win. Everything was aligned—until it wasn’t.

As of Monday, they sit at 27-37 and have dropped seven in a row, and reality is hitting them harder than a midsummer blast of Georgia humidity. Sure, a comeback remains within the realm of possibility, but the current momentum has swung decisively against them. It’s not impossible, but it’s growing increasingly unlikely.

With a sub-.500 record in a year when merely being average won’t cut it in the National League playoff race, every defeat now feels like another brick in the barrier keeping October further out of reach. And that barrier keeps rising.

If this skid extends into July, a scenario few saw coming could unfold: the Braves might become sellers at the trade deadline.

Marcell Ozuna: Atlanta’s premier trade asset

If Atlanta does decide to wave the white flag, all eyes would be on veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna—and with good reason. At 34, his defense is negligible, but his bat remains dangerous. Picture him as a classic muscle car: not well-suited for every situation, but capable of blowing past opponents on an open stretch.

This year, Ozuna is hitting .257/.397/.430 with a 137 wRC+, has already launched 10 homers, and boasts an 18.7% walk rate, ranking among the league’s best. In short, he reaches base, drives the ball with authority, and controls the strike zone—a combination any contender would love to add to their middle of the lineup.

What Atlanta might seek in exchange

Ozuna’s trade appeal comes down to two things: he’s performing at a high level, and he’s on a contract that expires after this season. That keeps his price tag from skyrocketing—but he’s not going to come cheap, either.

Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos is famously tight-lipped, so don’t expect leaks about the asking price. A wholesale farm-system overhaul in return is doubtful. Given Ozuna’s age, his defensive shortcomings, and the fact that he’s a rental, a top-tier prospect haul isn’t realistic—but snagging one or two promising young players? Absolutely feasible. Teams won’t have to decimate their minor-league depth to acquire him, which only increases his appeal.

Teams that should be dialing Atlanta

Any club with a shaky DH spot should have their phones hot. The Mariners, Astros, Giants, and Padres all stand out as logical fits for Ozuna’s bat. Seattle and Houston, in particular, could make strong cases—both need offensive consistency, and adding a powerful, albeit controversial, hitter could pay dividends.

San Diego, known for not shying away from headline-grabbing moves, could also get involved if they remain in the NL hunt. Even teams with relatively solid lineups might view Ozuna as October insurance: a veteran bat capable of changing the course of a single game.

A fork in the road for the Braves

The next few weeks will be pivotal for Atlanta’s front office. Do they hold on to hope and persevere through a rough stretch? Or do they cash in on assets before their value slips even further? Ozuna represents a rare opportunity: a veteran slugger still performing at an elite level, with no long-term commitment attached.

At 34, he’s a pure “win-now” piece—ideal for a contender with its eyes on a deep postseason run. For Atlanta, if a trip to October looks more like a distant dream than a realistic goal, it may be time to shift from trying to contend toward retooling. In that scenario, Ozuna likely becomes the first—and perhaps most valuable—piece to move.