As the dust settles on the Atlanta Braves' 2024 season, it's easy to see 2025 looking a lot different.
After losing superstars Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Spencer Strider to season-ending injuries, the Braves did well to earn a playoff spot on the final day of the season. But with those three eventually returning to the fold, the Braves should be in better position to contend for a World Series.
One consequence of returning injured stars, though, is sorting out what to do with the depth the Braves acquired to help fill in. And that could lead to an unexpected offseason roster shakeup.
On Friday, Braves reporter Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game pointed out the fact that the Braves' outfield/designated hitter picture looks overcrowded in 2025. He pointed out that the Braves have team control over Acuña, Ramon Laureano, Michael Harris II, Marcell Ozuna, Jorge Soler, and Jarred Kelenic in a post on X.
In response, one popular baseball content creator and Braves fan proposed an unexpected solution. YouTuber Foolish Baseball (real name: Bailey Freeman), replied to McAuley with the suggestion that the Braves could trade Ozuna, their most productive hitter this past season.
"I genuinely think the smart move is trade Ozuna," Freeman said.
Ozuna, 33, was one of the top sluggers in all of baseball this season. He posted a .925 OPS, a career-high outside of the 60-game 2020 season, and finished with 39 home runs, tied for fifth-most in all of baseball. So why would the Braves ever consider trading him away?
For starters, Ozuna's value is limited by the fact that he cannot play the outfield. His presence at DH forced the Braves to play Soler in right field for the entire stretch run, which cost the Braves numerous runs on defense.
Ozuna is also the oldest of the players named above, and his value is at an all-time high. The Braves could leverage their outfield depth to turn Ozuna's bat into young talent at positions of future need, like middle infield and catcher.
Trading a bat like Ozuna is always a risk, so there's no guarantee Atlanta seriously considers the possibility. But if any team can stand to lose a bat of his caliber, it's the Braves.
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