The Detroit Tigers are sitting pretty at the top of the American League, and Mark Feinsand from MLB.com thinks they should take a look at Marcell Ozuna as the trade deadline approaches.
It’s been 41 years since Detroit’s last World Series title and 13 years since they even made it that far. This feels like their best shot in over a decade.
Why Ozuna Makes Sense
“The Braves have a handful of expiring contracts, but given the lack of power hitters expected to be available between now and July 31, Ozuna could bring back the best return as a rental.”
That’s the key word here – rental. The three-time All-Star is in the final year of his deal, so any team trading for him knows exactly what they’re getting.
Ozuna’s numbers this season won’t blow you away – he’s hitting .257 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs through 68 games. But the Tigers aren’t exactly desperate for offense right now.
What makes this interesting is what Ozuna brings beyond the stat sheet.
Championship Experience
He helped the Braves win the 2021 World Series and made the All-Star team just last season. That’s the kind of October experience you can’t teach, especially for a Tigers team that hasn’t been in that position for over a decade.
The real question isn’t whether Ozuna would help Detroit – it’s what they’d be willing to give up for a few months of his services.
The Trade Deadline Reality
As Feinsand points out, power hitters are going to be hard to come by this deadline. That scarcity drives up the price, even for a rental like Ozuna.
For a Tigers organization that’s finally positioned to make a real run, adding a proven bat with championship pedigree could be exactly what pushes them over the edge. The question is whether they’ll pull the trigger when the time comes.
