If the Rangers are MLB Trade Deadline buyers, there's one hitter that is a must buy

The Rangers aren't quite sure if they are going to be buyers or sellers as the trade deadline rapidly approaches. A 31-35, they are just a handful of games out of first in an AL West that is without a dominant team this season.

If they want to be buyers, there is a perfect power bat that is sitting in the middle of the Atlanta Braves lineup and is on the final year of a four-year, $65 million contract.

Marcell Ozuna is a proven slugger and would fill a Rangers' offensive void

With the Braves currently at 27-37 and a full 14 games behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East, Ozuna is too valuable an asset to waste on top of the fact hat he could become a free agent and sign elsewhere next season. They have to look at getting something for him from a deadline buyer.

Ozuna is a prototypical middle-of-the-lineup, right-handed slugger with a proven track record dating back to 2014. Over 11 years, the 6'1" 215-pound Dominican has averaged 22 HRs and 70 RBIs over 162 games played.

But even more intriguing is his power surge that has come later in his career. At 34 years old, he has hit 89 long-balls from 2023-2025, hitting 40 in 2023. Ozuna also carries an impressive .272 career average along with an excellent K/AB ratio. The last thing the Rangers need right now is another guy who strikes out a lot.

Although Jake Burger has been better recently, he doesn't appear to be the thumper that the Rangers hoped. And with Josh Jung and Adolis Garcia slumping, the team has minimal pop from the right-hand side of the plate outside of Wyatt Langford.

Ozuna could also fill the DH hole left by Joc Pederson's poor start and injury

President of baseball operations Chris Young is undoubtedly less than thrilled with the ROI the organization has gotten when they signed Joc Pederson to 2-year $37 million contract this past summer. Pederson contributed next to nothing before landing on the IL with a fractured right hand.

Ozuna is a guy who can step into a full-time DH role and produce at a much higher level to help the Rangers make a serious push this summer.