The Milwaukee Brewers have been one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball in the second half of the season, and it has earned them a lead in the National League Central over the Chicago Cubs, in what shapes up to be a great division race down the final two months of the regular season.
With just four days left until the trade deadline, the Brewers have been urged to make a move for a strong right-handed bat to balance their lineup and overall improve the offense. Milwaukee has one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, backed by five quality starters and a shutdown bullpen. The only concern is if the offense will be able to carry its weight come October, when it gets a little harder to manufacture runs like they do.
Brewers Should Make Calls on Marcell Ozuna
The Milwaukee Brewers should inquire about the Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna. It’s been reported that the Braves are open to trading some of their players on expiring contracts (like Ozuna), and it was reported today that Ozuna is looking for a team where he would be in the lineup every day. Ozuna is strictly a Designated Hitter, and for the Brewers, that’s exactly what they need. Christian Yelich has been the primary DH, but he could slide into right field to make room for Ozuna.
While Ozuna’s offensive numbers are down slightly this season, he hit a combined 79 home runs in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He has 13 long balls this season, and his OPS is down to .743. Ozuna has been held out of the Braves’ lineup lately, possibly to preserve his trade status.
However, Ozuna’s 13 home runs would be the third-highest on the Brewers’ roster as of now. In the playoffs, the things that matter are how many home runs you can hit and if you have a lockdown bullpen. Milwaukee has the lockdown bullpen, Â but they don’t have a player with over 20 home runs.
Will Ozuna’s Struggles Hurt His Trade Stock?
CBSSports’ Mike Axisa ran a trade deadline piece earlier today, and addressed Ozuna’s willingness to move:
“Braves’ DH Marcell Ozuna is willing to approve a trade to a team that guarantees him everyday at-bats, reports USA Today. Ozuna has struggled badly the last few weeks and has begun to lose playing time. He’s started only three of Atlanta’s last 11 games. The Braves have instead used the DH spot to put catchers Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy in the lineup together. Ozuna, 34, has full no-trade protection through his 10-and-5 rights, meaning he is a player with 10 years of service time, including the last five with the same team. He must agree to any trade.”
The only thing that would stop the Atlanta Braves from trading Ozuna is the fact that they would have to take on his $16 million contract, but since he’s lost playing time, it doesn’t make sense to keep him on the bench. Especially for the Braves, who have a depleted farm system and could use any type of prospect with a semi-high upside.
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