The Detroit Tigers are likely going to be buyers at the trade deadline. The Tigers have been one of the best teams in baseball with their 60-44 record, and could look to become even more dangerous.
One name the Tigers have been linked to is Atlanta Braves slugger Marcell Ozuna. The Braves are having a miserable season at 44-57 and are well out of the NL playoff picture. Given these circumstances, the team could look to sell off some of their valuable assets such as Ozuna.
Sports Illustrated’s Mark Morales-Smith proposed a mock trade for the Tigers to land the three-time All-Star.
The full trade is as follows:
Tigers receive: Marcell Ozuna
Braves receive: INF Franyerber Montilla, RHP Zach Swanson
Morales-Smith explained the rationale behind this hypothetical deal for the Tigers, citing the team’s recent skid.
“The Tigers are in a major slump and need some significant upgrades if they are going to compete with the top teams in the American League come playoff time,” he said. “Ozuna is a proven slugger who can be a serious difference-maker in a playoff series.
The Tigers are 1-6 since the All-Star break, and have lost 10 of their last 11 games. Their lead in the AL Central has shrunk from 14 games to eight. In order to stop the bleeding, the Tigers may need to make a splash move to improve their lineup. Ozuna fits the bill.
Ozuna isn’t having the strongest year at the plate, batting just .235 with 13 home runs and .749 OPS. But perhaps a change of scenery on a World Series contender could rejuvenate Ozuna, and get him back to his All-Star form.