Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Wags, London, Ozuna
Sep 29, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Miami Marlins center fielder
Marcell Ozuna
(13) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mariners, Marlins Discussing Trade; Marcell Ozuna Involved
8:55pm [TUE]: The Mariners and Marlins are working on a trade that would send outfielder Marcell Ozuna from Miami to Seattle, reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link). If consummated, the move would continue what has been an incredibly active offseason for new Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto.
10:00pm: (MLB.com’s Joe) Frisaro now tweets that the Marlins and Mariners could be aiming to complete a larger deal than just Ozuna for a pitcher. Crasnick tweeted earlier today that many expect Dipoto to trade Mark Trumbo again this winter (he dealt Trumbo from Anaheim to Arizona when he was GM of the Angels), though Trumbo’s lofty arb projection ($9.1MM, per MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz) and the presence of Justin Bour in Miami make Trumbo an imperfect fit for the Fish.
10:25pm: Walker “isn’t available,” tweets Crasnick, and Paxton’s health concerns might not great enough that the Marlins wouldn’t part with Ozuna, raising the question of whether or not Elias or Karns would entice Miami.
12:10am: [WED] Frisaro tweets that while he hasn’t confirmed anything, he gets the sense that the Marlins covet Walker. However, he adds that the Marlins also aren’t going to give away Ozuna’s potential 30-homer bat in exchange for Elias, thus suggesting that if a trade is ultimately reached, it will be substantial in nature.
Next: Braves might look halfway around the globe to find a 3B
[ Ed. note: I added this for a couple of reasons: (1) Ozuna is a player that some of us thought might be a fit for the Braves… at least until Hector Olivera became an outfielder; (2) because it could impact a division rival; and (3) because I am fascinated to see the development of the deals over time.
It is easily possible that this could fizzle out and become nothing today – Miami wants what Seattle will not give, and Seattle would need to move something (Trumbo) that Miami will not want. Meanwhile, Marcell Ozuna is the pawn on this chessboard – an odd-man out due to a team owner that just doesn’t like him for his own reasons. ]