A couple Braves improve trade stock in win over Royals

After dropping five straight games, the Braves stopped the bleeding on Monday night with a 10-run outburst in their series opener versus the Kansas City Royals.

The win might not mean much amid a lost season; however, a couple of potential trade candidates did improve their value ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.

Marcell Ozuna is mired in a gnarly slump that has lasted nearly two months. He’s also been dealing with a tear in his hip and has 10-and-5 rights, giving him the ability to veto any trade. Ozuna’s camp has made it clear he would waive that right for an opportunity to play everyday, but he doesn’t have much time to convince suitors he’s worthy of that honor.

Monday night should have helped in that regard. Ozuna blasted a home run, his third in his last ten games, and he also walked two times.

Additionally, Raisel Iglesias was forced to enter the game in a save situation after Rafael Montero gave up a couple of runs and left two men on base. It had the feeling of many games the Braves have let slip out of their grasp this season, but Iglesias rose to the occasion this time. He retired the first three batters he faced, all via fly ball, as the Braves secured a 10-7 victory.

Iglesias should be much easier to move in the coming days than Ozuna. Every club is in need of high leverage relievers. Designated hitters aren’t as hot of a commodity this time of year, but Ozuna’s power resurgence over the last couple of weeks will likely encourage at least one team to take a gamble on his upside. Not many players were more impactful with the stick than the Big Bear over the 2023 and 2024 seasons.