Braves, Cardinals Shop Veterans as Deadline Nears

The Atlanta Braves, facing a disappointing 2025 season, are reportedly making veterans Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias available for trade ahead of the MLB deadline. Ozuna, an impending free agent having a down year, is attracting interest from contenders like the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners, and his departure could provide rookie Drake Baldwin a chance to compete for Rookie of the Year and earn Atlanta a valuable draft pick. Closer Raisel Iglesias, also in the final year of his contract and struggling this season, is expected to be moved as the Braves pursue a roster retool. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals may also become sellers, with relievers Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz likely to be traded. These developments occur amid high league-wide demand for relief pitching, with teams such as the Dodgers seeking bullpen upgrades. The Braves remain committed to retaining their core players under long-term contracts while planning to return to contention in 2026.