The Boston Red Sox are weighing potential moves as the trade deadline approaches, particularly focusing on strengthening their offense by targeting Marcell Ozuna from the Atlanta Braves as a replacement for Jarren Duran. With the lineup needing bolstering, the team is evaluating how Ozuna’s power-hitting abilities could fill the void left by recent roster changes.
Addressing Offensive Inconsistency and Outfield Congestion
Throughout the season, the Red Sox offense has at times fallen short of expectations, prompting management to explore options for improvement. A notable development was the trade of Rafael Devers, which opened the designated hitter role. However, the imminent return of Mastaka Yoshida complicates the outfield situation, intensifying competition and creating a crowded roster. This adds complexity to any addition like Ozuna, who has primarily played as a designated hitter over the past two years.
Evaluating Marcell Ozuna Amid Recent Struggles
Marcell Ozuna’s recent performance has been underwhelming; since June 1, he has hit just .171 with an OPS of .518, marking a significant slump. Nevertheless, his track record includes back-to-back seasons with nearly 40 home runs each, indicating his potential to add substantial power to Boston’s lineup if he can return to form. The Red Sox view acquiring a hitter of Ozuna’s caliber as a possible game-changer, though such an addition would likely require a corresponding trade to manage the roster balance.
“So, a move for Ozuna, who has exclusively been a designated hitter for the last two seasons, would likely have to come with another trade. But acquiring a hitter of Ozuna’s caliber could be worth it — if he gets out of the slump he’s been in over the last month. Ozuna has hit just .171 with a .518 OPS since June 1, making him one of the worst hitters in baseball as of late,”
—Boston.com
Jarren Duran’s Future as the Red Sox Weigh Options
Within the team’s crowded outfield, Jarren Duran is viewed as the player most likely to be traded to facilitate roster adjustments. His departure would create space for new additions, such as Ozuna, to contribute more significantly. Balancing these moves is crucial for the Red Sox as they aim to maximize offensive production in the push toward the postseason.
The decisions made in the next few weeks will shape Boston’s ability to compete in the second half, with the possibility that a return to form from Ozuna could bolster the team’s power and lineup depth significantly. How the Red Sox manage their outfield and designated hitter roles amid these changes will be key to their success moving forward.