{"id":680873,"date":"2026-04-22T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T08:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/680873\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T08:00:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T08:00:45","slug":"struggling-mlb-player-proves-the-atlanta-braves-were-correct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/680873\/","title":{"rendered":"Struggling MLB Player Proves The Atlanta Braves Were Correct"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts to his strikeout during a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

On Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> lost to the Texas Rangers<\/a> by a score of 5-1.<\/p>\n

Marcell Ozuna<\/a> finished the loss with no hits and two strikeouts in four at-bats.<\/p>\n

Struggling MLB Player Proves The Atlanta Braves Right\"\"<\/p>\n

GettyMarcell Ozuna #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after striking out in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n

Ozuna signed with the Pirates over the offseason.<\/p>\n

He is currently batting<\/a> .178 with 13 hits, two home runs, seven RBI\u2019s, six runs and 20 strikeouts in 18 games.<\/p>\n

Mark Feinsand of <\/a>MLB<\/a>.com wrote (on February 9):<\/a> \u201cMarcell Ozuna has agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal with the Pirates, per source. The deal has a $16 million mutual option for 2027 with a $1.5 million buyout, so he\u2019ll earn $10.5 million in 2026. @JonHeyman and @JeffPassan were on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marcell Ozuna has agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal with the Pirates, per source. The deal has a $16 million mutual option for 2027 with a $1.5 million buyout, so he\u2019ll earn $10.5 million in 2026. @JonHeyman<\/a> and @JeffPassan<\/a> were on it.<\/p>\n

Ozuna had been a huge part of the Atlanta Braves for the last six years.<\/p>\n

He batted .265 with 148 home runs, 410 RBI\u2019s and 356 runs in 683 games for the franchise.<\/p>\n

Despite his success, the Braves were clearly correct to move on from the three-time All-Star.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

GettyMarcell Ozuna #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on against the Chicago Cubs<\/a> at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.<\/p>\n

Ozuna\u2019s MLB Career\"\"<\/p>\n

GettyMarcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves<\/a> celebrates after a home run against the Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> in the sixth inning at Truist Park on August 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n

Ozuna spent the first five years of his career playing for the Miami Marlins<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He then had a two-year stint with the St. Louis Cardinals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While he made two of his three All-Star Games in Miami, it\u2019s fair to say that Ozuna should be most known for his run with the Braves (where he contributed to consistent winning).<\/p>\n

Arguably the best year of his career came in 2024 when he batted .302 with 39 home runs, 104 RBI\u2019s and 96 runs in 102 games.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

GettyMarcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates scoring against the Los Angeles Angels<\/a> during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 16, 2024 in Anaheim, California.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s still early in the season (and Ozuna has played better as of late), but the Pirates will certainly want more production from the 35-year-old going forward.<\/p>\n

Over 1,631 career games, he is batting .268 with 298 home runs, 955 RBI\u2019s, 829 runs and 29 stolen bases.<\/p>\n

Pirates And Braves Right Now<\/p>\n

The Pirates are currently 13-10 in 23 games.<\/p>\n

That said, the National League Central has been so strong that they are the last-place team.<\/p>\n

Following two more games against the Rangers, the Pirates will visit the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a> on Friday.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

GettyManager Walt Weiss #22 of the Atlanta Braves looks on prior to the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians<\/a> at Truist Park on April 11, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n

The Braves are currently the best team in the National League East with a 16-8 record in 24 games.<\/p>\n

Their hot start is even more proof that moving on from Ozuna was smart.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBen Stinar<\/a> Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.\u00a0
\n
\nHe has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Braves\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t