Atlanta Braves: Marcell Ozuna Signing Shouldn’t Depend on DH

We take a look at why the Atlanta Braves can’t make a decision on Marcell Ozuna based on whether there is a DH or not in 2021.

The Atlanta Braves want Marcell Ozuna back just as much as they wanted Josh Donaldson back the last offseason.

But at the same time, there is a point that Alex Anthopoulos feels comfortable going financially and he will not go over that mark.

Minnesota was able to go beyond that mark the last offseason, and even though I think it was still a difficult decision for Donaldson to leave Atlanta, he ultimately went with the money — as most players will.

We could eventually face a similar situation with Ozuna this offseason where a team is willing to give another year or another $10 million more than what the Braves are willing to give. And even though I feel Ozuna really wants to be back in Atlanta, that’s a decision he’ll have to make.

But beyond that, the Braves should not let the DH rule hold them back from their offer.

It’s sounding like we won’t have a DH in the National League in 2021. That means if the Braves do sign Ozuna this offseason we’ll have to deal with his defense in left field.

Just how bad is his defense?

In his limited time out there last season (145 innings in left) he posted a DRS of zero and a UZR of -0.9. The year before in St. Louis he had a DRS of 1 and a UZR of 5.7.

In fact, Ozuna has never posted a negative DRS in left field over his entire career.

So maybe we’re overdramatic about his bad defense in left?

I wouldn’t go that far. Numbers don’t always tell the story, especially defensive numbers.

And even though those numbers don’t seem terrible, he still ranked 25th in all of baseball in defense among left fielders who played at least 140 innings there last year.

Anybody who watched Ozuan roam the outfield for the Braves in 2020 know he’s a bit of a mess out there and has the arm of a toddler (maybe partly due to a shoulder injury that never fully healed).

Still, I think Atlanta could live with him in right field for one year if he’s going to provide the impact in the lineup he did in 2020.

Most believe if there isn’t a last-minute addition of the DH to the NL in 2021 then it will certainly be brought in for 2022 after the collective bargaining agreement next offseason.

Essentially, the players don’t want to agree to it now because it’s a huge bargaining chip for them in those discussions.

I’m not saying the Braves should be all-in on Ozuna, I have my concerns with him long-term. But I really don’t think the DH should be a determining factor in whether or not they go after him this offseason.