At 8:19pm on February 5th, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi tweeted that Marcell Ozuna has signed a 4 year deal with the Atlanta Braves. His source was Latin MLB insider Héctor Gómez. This deal was struck a few hours after Trevor Bauer announced his deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Marcell Ozuna signed a 4 year deal with the Braves, which has come out to be worth $64 million ($16 million AAV). There is a 5th year option that will make the deal worth $80 million if the option is exercised.
Ozuna, who will be turning 30 to start the 2021 MLB season, had a huge breakout season in 220 for Atlanta. Widely known as “The Big Bear”, Ozuna sported an outstanding .338/.431/.636 triple slash with an OPS of 1.067, and received a well earned Silver Slugger award. Ozuna led the NL in homeruns with 18 in the shortened season. With the Universal DH seemingly inevitable to be out of play for 2021, it seems Ozuna will remain in Left Field, and that Atlanta will play Cristian Pache at CF and Ronald Acuña Jr. in RF.
$16 million AAV is certainly a team friendly contract, as it will give financial flexibility for the Braves to add bullpen pieces in this offseason, and allow the Braves to have more room for a Freddie Freeman extension.
