Inside The Cardinals

Ex-Cardinals Slugger Linked In Blockbuster Giants Trade Buzz

The Cardinals may end up having to compete with one of their former players for a postseason spot.
Zach Pressnell|
Jul 14, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco Giants hat and glove on the bench against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jul 14, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco Giants hat and glove on the bench against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

In this story:

Atlanta BravesSt. Louis CardinalsSan Francisco Giants

The St. Louis Cardinals have been forced to watch their former slugging outfielder, Marcell Ozuna, dominate with the Atlanta Braves for the last few seasons.

With the Braves likely looking to sell this year, Ozuna could end up on the trade block in the coming weeks.

FanSided's Zachary Rotman recently linked Ozuna to the San Francisco Giants in a potential blockbuster trade. The Giants are actively competing with the Cardinals for a National League Wild Card spot.

"The San Francisco Giants have been one of MLB's most surprising teams thus far, going 39-28 in their first 67 games of the year and sitting just 0.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West entering play on Wednesday," Rotman wrote. "Their record is also good enough to hold the NL's top Wild Card spot. As impressive as they've been, though, their offense needs work. That's where an Ozuna addition would come in handy.

"Ozuna would instantly become the most feared hitter in this Giants lineup. Sure, it'd be helpful if he could play the outfield still or chip in at first base, especially since Wilmer Flores has done most of the DH'ing this season, but Ozuna's bat would be an important one to acquire."

Seeing Ozuna land with the Giants might be one of the worst case scenarios for St. Louis. Not only would the Giants be adding a former MVP candidate, but they would be adding a player who the Cardinals lost a few years ago. This would really haunt St. Louis, especially if Ozuna turns into a major piece of the Giants postseason berth.

The Cardinals and their fans would likely prefer to see Ozuna shipped off to the American League.

More MLB: Cardinals-Phillies Linked In Huge Trade Buzz For $81 Million Star

Published
Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

Home/St. Louis Cardinals News