In a free-agent market dominated by pitching, Marcell Ozuna represents one of the most solid bats available, and according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, five teams are “pretty heavily involved” in discussions with the outfielder.
Morosi names the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers as the five clubs most interested in Ozuna and speculates that he could land a five-year deal.
Ozuna spent the 2019 campaign with the Cardinals, slashing .241/.328/.472 with 29 home runs and 89 RBI over 549 plate appearances.
St. Louis acquired Ozuna in a trade with the Miami Marlins in December 2017, and in his first year with the club, he slashed .280/.325/.433 with 23 long balls and 88 RBI across 628 trips to the dish.
The 29-year-old originally signed with the Marlins as an amateur free agent back in 2008. He made his big-league debut with the club in 2013, playing in 70 games and slashing .265/.303/.389 with three dingers and 32 RBI through 291 plate appearances.
Ozuna then became a full-time starter for Miami in 2014, registering a slash line of .269/.317/.455 with 23 homers and 85 RBI over 612 trips to the plate. He was limited to 123 contests in 2015 due to injury and was disappointing when he was on the field, slashing .259/.308/.383 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI in 494 plate appearances, but he bounced back in 2016, slashing .266/.321/.452 with 23 long balls and 76 RBI en route to his first All-Star selection.
The Dominican then had a breakout season in 2017, as he slashed .312/.376/.548 with 37 homers and 124 RBI through 679 trips to the dish, making the All-Star team and earning Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards, as well.
Follow Us
Subscribe