MLB Trade Rumors: Athletics Interested in Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna

The Oakland Athletics reportedly have their eye on multiple Miami Marlins outfielders.

On Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported the Athletics are interested in a potential trade for either Marcell Ozuna or Christian Yelich. Slusser explained "Oakland will have money to spend after trading many of its higher-priced players in July" and with Billy Butler no longer under contract.

The team isn't looking to move any of its "core young major-leaguers, apart from designated hitter-corner infielder Ryon Healy" although it would possibly trade some minor leaguers.

Slusser noted trading Healy would open up the designated hitter spot for Khris Davis, which would in turn create the need for another outfielder the team could potentially address with Ozuna or Yelich.

Yelich is only 25 years old, while Ozuna is 26, and they would each figure to cost the Athletics or other suitors a significant package in return. However, there may be some leverage in trade talks with the Marlins, considering it is no secret they are looking to shed payroll.

Barry Jackson and Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reported the team's new ownership wants to trim payroll to $90 million and would even be willing to move slugger Giancarlo Stanton to accomplish the task.

If the Marlins shed payroll by trading the Athletics either Yelich or Ozuna, the American League West team would add a young talented outfielder in its quest to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season.

Yelich slashed .282/.369/.439 with 18 home runs, 81 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 2017 and won a 2014 Gold Glove and 2016 Silver Slugger. Ozuna, who has been an All-Star in each of the last two years, slashed .312/.376/.548 with a career-high 37 home runs and 124 RBI. He also won a Gold Glove in 2017 and tallied a career-best 11 total defensive runs saved above average in left field, per FanGraphs.