Braves predicted to part ways with 65M 3-time All-star, 2-time Silver Slugger, Gold Glove winner originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves are likely to move on in several different ways this offseason. Some names could be players who have been in the clubhouse for quite some time. One name the Braves have already tried to move is Marcell Ozuna, but he vetoed some trades at the deadline.
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“It’s possible that while Anthopoulos was discussing trades, he couldn’t agree on a deal that Ozuna’s agent could also sign off on. Just because Ozuna is leaving the deadline out of his hands doesn’t mean the 10-5 rights go out the window. He could have simply handed over those rights to his agent for the discussions,” SI’s Harrison Smajovits wrote.
The problem with Ozuna is that free agency is going to be tough for him. He isn’t getting any younger, and his bat was stagnant at times last season.
“The problem Ozuna faces now is that he has only gotten older, his performance last season was subpar at best, and the teams that were previously considered to be landing spots for him feel unlikely to pursue him this offseason especially with how more and more organizations are treating the DH position,” HTHB’s Eric Cole wrote.
For these reasons, it is probably best for the Braves to part ways with Ozuna.
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“He’s also highly respected in the clubhouse and could end up being a sneaky value signing for someone this offseason, especially given that he’s entering free agency coming off an injury and a bit of a down year,” ATL Sports Talk’s Chase Irle wrote. “That said, it’s time for both sides to move on. With Ronald Acuña Jr.’s durability in question and Drake Baldwin needing more at-bats, Atlanta simply can’t afford to carry another player who’s strictly a designated hitter. Ozuna’s defensive days are long gone, and soon, so will be his days in a Braves uniform.”
Ozuna was once a fan favorite when his bat was hot, but now it seems like those days are long gone. This is one of the many moves Atlanta is expected to make this offseason.
Ozuna might not be the only veteran in the clubhouse to be shown the door. Only time will tell, but this could be a dumping winter for the Braves.
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