INSIDER_NEWS: Braves’ $65M NIGHTMARE? Insiders URGE Team: “Re-Sign Him NOW… Or Face DISASTER!

Braves Country continues to hear mixed signals from baseball analysts about how Atlanta might approach the upcoming MLB trade deadline.

Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly weighed in Friday, predicting the Braves are unlikely to be sellers. However, he pointed out one possible exception: designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who is set to become a free agent this offseason.

What sets Kelly’s take apart is the suggestion that Atlanta could actually consider keeping Ozuna and re-signing him—an idea that hasn’t gained much traction among fans or media.

“Would the Braves be open to trading Ozuna—who’s 34 and in a contract year—if they don’t turn things around? Maybe,” Kelly wrote. “He’d draw interest from teams in need of a DH. But with a .904 OPS since the start of 2023, you’d think Atlanta might prefer to bring him back.”

The assumption for much of the season has been that 2024 would be Ozuna’s final year in Atlanta. That belief is largely based on his age—he’ll be 35 in November—and the likelihood that his next deal will be both expensive and long-term, possibly extending into his late 30s.

Ozuna signed a four-year, $65 million deal last time. Given his strong performance over the past two seasons, he’s expected to earn more this time around. A hypothetical new deal might land in the $85 million range over four years, pushing his annual salary above $20 million—and that may still be a conservative estimate.

Last season, Ozuna finished fourth in NL MVP voting. This year, he’s continued to hit well, boasting an .822 OPS with 11 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 32 runs scored.

There’s also a roster consideration: trading Ozuna would open up the DH spot, giving manager Brian Snitker more flexibility, particularly with catchers Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin, who could rotate between DH and behind the plate.

Still, the idea of parting with Ozuna won’t be easy. He reminded the team of his impact Friday night with a three-run homer that gave Atlanta the lead against the Rockies, sparking a 12-4 win. The Braves have now won three of their last four.

As the trade deadline nears, all eyes in Atlanta will be on what the Braves decide to do with Ozuna—arguably their most intriguing storyline.