The Chicago Cubs currently sit atop the National League Central with a solid 5.5-game lead, powered by a strong offensive lineup. As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, the team is reportedly aiming to bolster its starting rotation. While pitchers like Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins and Zach Eflin of the Orioles are among the speculated targets, it might be in the Cubs’ best interest to broaden their scope beyond just pitching.
With the heart of the season approaching, Andrew Wright of Newsweek has floated the idea that the Cubs could make a bold move by pursuing Atlanta Braves slugger Marcell Ozuna to shake up their roster.
Marcell Ozuna is currently posting a .253/.388/.422 slash line with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs while holding down the designated hitter role for the Atlanta Braves. With his impressive power at the plate, Ozuna would be a strong addition to the Cubs’ lineup as they aim to end a four-year postseason drought.
However, Andrew Wright of Newsweek suggests a more dramatic shakeup—sending Gold Glove outfielder Ian Happ to Atlanta in exchange for Ozuna.
“A trade for Ozuna wouldn’t make much sense unless one of the Cubs’ current outfielders heads to Atlanta,” Wright explains. “With Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong likely off-limits, Ian Happ becomes the most logical trade piece.”
Wright argues that Happ, the least impactful of Chicago’s starting outfield trio, could be moved to free up space for Ozuna at DH while allowing Seiya Suzuki to return to his natural spot in the outfield. Happ has struggled at the plate this season, hitting just .249 with seven homers and 31 RBIs. His defensive performance has also declined, with FanGraphs assigning him a -2.6 DEF rating in 2025.
By comparison, Suzuki has a slightly better -0.4 DEF while playing fewer innings—and he’s been far more productive offensively, with a .261 average, 17 home runs, and 58 RBIs.
With the trade deadline looming, aggressive moves could separate contenders from pretenders. Adding Ozuna would come with some risk, but the reward—injecting more power into the lineup—might be just what the Cubs need for a serious October push.
As for the Braves, Ozuna’s impending free agency and the team’s sub-.500 record could make parting ways worthwhile. Happ, under team control through 2026, would give Atlanta a long-term piece in return.
Trades that work for both sides are rare, but Wright’s proposal might offer exactly that—a strategic exchange that suits each team’s current goals and future plans.
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