MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Linked To All-Star Slugger Following Rafael Devers Deal
The latest MLB trade rumor regarding the Red Sox is food for thought.
Boston is considered one of the “best fits” for Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel.
“Ozuna is a stone-cold DH, playing two games in the field in 2023 as his last regular-season experience defensively,” the duo wrote Tuesday. “Ozuna is also in a contract year, but his power numbers are down a notch from his standout .302 average and 39-homer performance last season. His on-base percentage remains among the highest of potential trade candidates. If anyone is moving from Atlanta, he’s the likeliest candidate, with free agency beckoning.”
According to the report, the other best fits for Ozuna are the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants and Cleveland Guardians.
Passan and McDaniel put the chances of an Ozuna trade at 25%. But that number might go up depending how long former Red Sox ace Chris Sale, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, is on the Braves’ injured list with broken ribs.
The Braves (37-41) are in third place in the NL East, 9 1/2 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta is six games back in the NL Wild Card standings.
Ozuna to the Red Sox is a possibility only because chief baseball officer Craig Breslow traded slugger Rafael Devers to the Giants. But bringing in Ozuna would create a logjam at DH for manager Alex Cora, who should be getting Masataka Yoshida back from the injured list in the near future.
As for Ozuna, he’s put together an impressive resume over 13 big-league seasons. He’s a three-time All-Star with a pair of Silver Slugger Awards. Ozuna also won a Gold Glove while playing for the Miami Marlins in 2017.
He finished fourth in voting last year for NL MVP after batting .302 with 39 home runs and 104 RBIs. This season, Ozuna is hitting .250 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in 74 games.