After two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, outfielder Marcell Ozuna has signed a 1-year, $18 million deal with the Atlanta Braves.
Ozuna spent his first five big league seasons with the Miami Marlins capped by a career year in 2017 in which he hit .312 with 37 HR and 124 RBI. The Cardinals acquired him that off-season with high hopes as did I predicting he would win the NL MVP in 2018 which was instead won by his fellow former Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich.
While Ozuna's 29 HR and 89 RBI in 2019 were his second best total of his career, he also hit a career low .241 in 130 games missing time with an injured right hand. But Atlanta could give him a lift as he won't be expected to be the guy. Ozuna, 29, can provide protection in the middle of the order between Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Freddie Freeman. He also represents short term insurance for not being able to re-sign Josh Donaldson or acquire Nolan Arenado from the Rockies (yet!!!)
A good year from Ozuna could make him the head of the free agent class of 2021.
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