Marcell Ozuna must be dealt by the Atlanta Braves before this month’s MLB trade deadline. The veteran DH who has been a key contributor for, and sometimes completely carried, the Braves’ offense over the last two years is set to become a free agent following the 2025 season.
His overall numbers have dropped off this year, but Ozuna is still an experienced hitter with plenty of pop. There is almost certainly at least a couple of contenders that wouldn’t mind adding the three-time All-Star.
Is the Braves DH Plan Already in Place?
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos made it known a couple of weeks ago that he is not interested in trading any players who are controllable beyond the 2025 season. That means, regardless of persistent rumors, All-Star catcher Sean Murphy should be sticking around Atlanta for the foreseeable future, even with the emergence of rookie backstop Drake Baldwin this season.
One might ask how the Braves plan to move forward with two productive, defensively solid catchers on the roster for the long term. Well, the plan may have already taken shape.
Through Monday’s win over the Giants. Manager Brian Snitker has started Baldwin and Murphy together six times in his club’s last 11 games, rotating them between catcher and DH. The duo has been in the Braves’ starting lineup in three of the four games since the All-Star break.
Way outta here!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/JtZ2ovm8Pj
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 12, 2025
The Braves have evenly split the half-dozen games in which Baldwin and Murphy have been in the starting lineup together this month, winning three and losing three. More indicative of the potential of this plan, perhaps, the Braves have averaged 6.0 runs per game with both catchers in the batting order during this span.
On a personal basis, both players have been thriving at the plate lately. Over 13 games in July, Baldwin has turned in a stellar .326/.380/.543 slash line with two homers, four doubles, and 13 RBI – six of those came Monday night. Murphy has belted five deep flies, while slugging a ridiculous .705 and driving in 11 runs over 14 games this month.
For all the things that need to change around Atlanta, this catcher-designated hitter tandem should remain.