The St. Louis Cardinals are right in the thick of things in terms of the National League Wild Card, and even still a part of a tight NL Central race. But if the Cardinals truly want to compete in the later months of the season, they will need to make additions at MLB’s trade deadline. Their top needs are either starting pitching or a strong right-handed bat. St. Louis is a scrappy team, but they lack power. Wilson Contreras is the best right-handed bat they have, and he has just 12 home runs.
With the Atlanta Braves in a downward spiral headed towards being sellers, it has been reported that they will make some of their players who hold trade value available.
Marcell Ozuna Reunites With Cardinals in Trade Pitch
Bob Nightengale of USAToday has announced in the past week that the Atlanta Braves will listen to offers for both Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias during the final two weeks before the trade deadline. Ozuna likely has a little more value than Iglesias, who has struggled mightily this season. Ozuna, in the middle of a “down” offensive year, would still lead the St. Louis Cardinals’ roster in home runs with 13 this season, and is a great fit to slot into the designated hitter role.
In a recent Bleacher Report piece, writer Zach Bachar outlined the availability of both Braves’ possible assets:
“Atlanta has struggled during its 2025 campaign, sitting at No. 4 in the National League East standings with a 42-52 record. The Braves are 12 games back from the top spot in the division. If they choose to sell at the deadline, Ozuna could experience a change of scenery. The 34-year-old has struggled to build upon a 2024 season in which he was named an All-Star and finished No. 4 in NL MVP voting. Ozuna is hitting .239 with 11 doubles, 13 home runs and 42 RBIs across 89 games in 2025.”
This trade idea would reunite Ozuna with the Cardinals, where he played for two seasons (2018-2019). In those two seasons, Ozuna hit 52 home runs and 177 RBIs.
The Braves Need to Rebuild Their Farm System
Since Marcell Ozuna is set to be a free agent after this season, the asking price wouldn’t be too high because it’s possible Ozuna wouldn’t sign with the St. Louis Cardinals in the offseason. For that reason, a good return for Ozuna would be fifth-ranked prospect Tink Hence and outfield prospect Joshua Baez. Two guys who can develop further in the Atlanta Braves’ farm system, which desperately needs a player or two who can be MLB-ready in just a couple of seasons.
For the Cardinals, a deal for Ozuna makes a lot of sense. They are 51-46, and just a game out of a Wild Card slot. Many believe the Cardinals might run out of gas down the stretch because of the lack of offensive production and high-quality starters, but if they are active at the trade deadline, they can make a run just like any other NL club to gain one of the three Wild Card spots.
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