With MLB free agency winding down, there hasn’t been much chatter surrounding Marcell Ozuna. That doesn’t mean interest couldn’t pick up in the final weeks leading into Spring Training, but it’s also possible the market for the 35-year-old is cooler than many expected at the start of the offseason.
So, could there still be a reunion with the Big Bear in Atlanta?
In short, there’s no reason the Braves shouldn’t at least be monitoring the situation closely. They have a very clear need for more power in the lineup, especially with both Ha-Seong Kim and Sean Murphy expected to miss a significant portion of the season. A torn hip clearly sapped Ozuna’s production last year, but there’s still upside if he can get back to being anything close to the player he was from 2023–2024, when he crushed 79 home runs with a .916 OPS. There isn’t an offense in baseball that would turn its nose up at that kind of production, particularly if it comes on a one-year deal in the $5–10 million range.
There’s also the clubhouse factor. Ozuna was as well-liked as anyone in the Braves’ dugout during his time in Atlanta, and teammates consistently went to bat for him. While some organizations may steer clear because of his off-field history, the Braves are arguably the team most willing to look past that given the familiarity and internal support.
Atlanta can’t guarantee Ozuna anything, and that may push him to look elsewhere for a clearer path to everyday at-bats. What the Braves can offer, though, is a chance to compete for a World Series in a familiar environment, where playing time would be decided by merit. That might ultimately be more appealing than piling up plate appearances on a non-contender in a half-empty stadium.
The longer this drags on, the more closely it should be watched. If the price comes down to a reasonable level, the Braves should absolutely be willing to open that door.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire