We take a look at which teams are a realistic fit for free agent Marcell Ozuna, including the Atlanta Braves who seem the most involved.
It’s been no secret all offseason that Atlanta Braves fans want Marcell Ozuna back, but there are questions about what Alex Anthopoulos and the front office thinks. I outlined those concerns in this article.
But as the top tier options have fallen off the board, it’s seeming like the Braves have no choice but to bring Ozuna back if AA is going to find that impact bat this offseason through free agency.
Jon Heyman tweeted Thursday night that the Braves were still heavily involved.
Braves haven’t given up on re-signing Marcell Ozuna. There’s a difference in dollars, but they haven’t replaced him, he hasn’t found another job and spring is 2 weeks away.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 5, 2021
That lines up with what I’ve been saying all offseason — AA has drawn a line in the sand with how much he’s willing to give Ozuna and won’t go beyond that number/years.
It’s the same thing he did with Josh Donaldson last year. The Twins were willing to go that extra year with the extra money and they ultimately got JD.
If some team is willing to swoop in and go beyond the line that AA isn’t willing to cross, then Ozuna won’t be playing in Atlanta this summer.
What team is willing to beat the Braves for Ozuna?
We’ve heard that the Dodgers, Brewers, Yankees, Red Sox, and Twins have at lest shown interest in Ozuna at some point this offseason.
After the Twins signs Nelson Cruz you’d have to think they are out on Ozuna.
The Brewers recently just signed Kolten Wong and are pretty set in the outfield, so I think there interest in Ozuna was mainly as a DH.
You could say the same for the Dodgers, who really only need Ozuna if there is a DH in the National League.
Boston already has a permanent DH in JD Martinez. But there have been rumors of them wanting to trade Andrew Benintendi, which would open up a spot in left. That swap doesn’t make a ton of sense to me.
I could see the Yankees making some sense, but that would take them over the luxury tax threshold, which they’re not going to do again.
Another possible entrant into the race for Ozuna could be his old team the St. Louis Cardinals. They traded Dexter Fowler Thursday night opening up a spot in their outfield and saving them $1.75 million on his contract.
I think it’s highly doubtful he returns to St. Louis, but it’s at least a possibility.
The White Sox are a team I think makes a lot of sense, but I think their focus is more on finding a starting pitcher.
But all-in-all, the Braves are the only one of those teams who desperately need Ozuna at this point. I really don’t see him being a fit for any other team at the moment that has reportedly expressed interest in him.