The architect of the Atlanta Braves, Alex Anthopoulos, operates on a simple principle. He said once, “We’re built to win. Our expectations are to win. Our expectations are to go for it the entire time.” But as the 2025 campaign progresses, that championship expectation is running up against a cold, hard truth. A roster loaded with talent is struggling to stay afloat, creating a fascinating dilemma for its bold leader. The approaching July 31st trade deadline is no longer a simple date on the calendar.

The Braves find themselves in an unfamiliar and frustrating state. The team is mired in a 34-40 record as of late June. That leaves them a distant 11 games back in the National League East and a difficult six games behind a Wild Card berth. The club suffered two seven-game losing streaks this season, a sign of deep inconsistency. To make matters worse, ace Chris Sale just landed on the injured list with a fractured rib cage.

This troubling performance puts one specific player’s future directly in the spotlight.

That player is Marcell Ozuna, the powerful designated hitter affectionately known as “The Big Bear.” According to a recent analysis by MLB News, Ozuna is the Braves’ most intriguing trade candidate. Thomas Harrigan writes that while the front office wants to buy, a prolonged slump could force a change. He notes, “we could see Atlanta trade away its pending free agents. Ozuna is by far the best player on that short list.” Despite a dip in home runs, his value remains high. He is still getting on base at a stellar .379 clip and is not far removed from hitting a combined 79 homers in 2023-24.

But Ozuna is not the only piece on the trading block, even if he’s the biggest. Harrigan’s report clarifies the team’s strategy, noting the list of potential trade chips “also includes relievers Raisel Iglesias and Rafael Montero and outfielder Alex Verdugo.” This illustrates a clear dividing line for the front office. While rentals could be moved, controllable stars are off-limits. Anthopoulos made this emphatically clear regarding Chris Sale, stating there was “zero [chance]” of a trade. He called the idea “completely ridiculous,” adding, “Will. Not. Happen. Bold, italicize it, caps.”

The Braves’ president of baseball operations has never been shy about his convictions. To understand what he might do, one must look at his stunning track record at the deadline.

Anthopoulos’s gambit: The Braves’ next chapter

The ghost of 2021 is impossible to ignore over any decision Atlanta makes this year. That season, the Braves were in a similar, if not worse, position. They were under .500 in July and had just lost their superstar, Ronald Acuña Jr., to a season-ending injury. The logical move was to sell and regroup for the next year. Instead, Anthopoulos engineered one of the most brilliant trade deadline performances in baseball history. In the span of two weeks, he completely rebuilt his outfield by acquiring four rental players.

The price was surprisingly light in prospects for Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, Jorge Soler, and Eddie Rosario. The outcome, however, was mythic. The revamped roster caught fire and won a World Series championship. Their deadline additions became postseason heroes. Rosario was named the NLCS MVP, and Soler became MVP of the World Series. It’s a powerful reminder that for Anthopoulos, a losing record in July isn’t the beginning of the end; it’s a challenge.

This history of audacity wasn’t a one-time event. He also made a lot of big moves during his run as the General Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. He aggressively traded for stars like — Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, and David Price — to push his team into contention. His entire career is defined by a willingness to take calculated risks to chase a championship.

The Braves front office might embrace a “Seller’s Gambit,” trading Ozuna to a contender in need of a bat like the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Guardians, or Detroit Tigers. In return, they would get prospects to reload for 2026. On the other hand, they could try for another 2021-style “Buyer’s Reinforcement.” They could target underperforming but talented outfielders like Luis Robert Jr. or Andrew Benintendi if a team like the White Sox pays down their contracts. The entire league is waiting to see which path the game’s boldest architect will choose.