{"id":40120,"date":"2020-11-04T18:13:12","date_gmt":"2020-11-04T23:13:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=40120"},"modified":"2020-12-31T09:44:37","modified_gmt":"2020-12-31T14:44:37","slug":"top-three-potential-landing-spots-for-marcell-ozuna-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2020\/11\/04\/top-three-potential-landing-spots-for-marcell-ozuna-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Three Potential Landing Spots for Marcell Ozuna"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After back-to-back All-Star seasons with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/mlb-teams\/miami-marlins\/\" target=\"_self\">Miami Marlins<\/a> in 2016-17, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/o\/ozunama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcell Ozuna<\/a><\/strong> was traded to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/mlb-teams\/st-louis-cardinals\/\" target=\"_self\">St. Louis Cardinals<\/a>. Although he didn&#8217;t quite perform at the same level as he did in Miami, Ozuna still posted solid numbers in his time with St. Louis. Last offseason, the 30-year-old turned down a $17.8 million qualifying offer from the Cardinals in hopes of landing a lucrative multiyear contract. However, that never came to fruition, and Ozuna signed a one-year, $18 million deal with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/mlb-teams\/atlanta-braves\/\" target=\"_self\">Atlanta Braves<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Ozuna was looking to re-establish himself as an offensive force with a big 2020 campaign before he became a free agent for a second straight year. Well, he did just that, leading the National League with 18 home runs and 56 RBI and posting a .338\/.431\/.636 slash line in an abbreviated 60-game season. The only drawback in Ozuna&#8217;s game is his defense. Once considered a stellar outfielder, Ozuna has become a below-average defender the past few seasons. If the designated hitter does not return to the NL in 2021, Ozuna could receive more interest from American League teams.<\/p>\n<h2>Top Landing Spots for Marcell Ozuna<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/m\/2020-free-agent-marcell-ozuna\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>So, let\u2019s take a look at the top three potential landings spots for Marcell Ozuna.<\/p>\n<h3>Atlanta Braves<\/h3>\n<p>After the impressive numbers that Ozuna put up for the Braves this season, it&#8217;s hard to imagine a scenario where the team doesn&#8217;t hotly pursue him. It was not only his work on the field that contributed to Atlanta&#8217;s success, but he was also a great fit in the clubhouse. Ozuna paired well with young, exciting players like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/acunaro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/albieoz01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ozzie Albies<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and even added his own flair to the team. The most memorable of which was his &#8220;selfie&#8221; pose after hitting a solo homer against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/mlb-teams\/cincinnati-reds\/\" target=\"_self\">Cincinnati Reds<\/a> in the Wild Card series.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/m\/marcell-ozuna-s-two-run-home-run-x4508\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>However, if the NL doesn&#8217;t adopt the DH in 2021, the Braves might go after a more capable defensive outfielder. With players like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/springe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">George Springer<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brantmi02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Brantley<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bruceja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jay Bruce<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bradlja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jackie Bradley Jr.<\/a><\/strong> available in free agency, Atlanta&#8217;s front office have plenty of options to pursue. They also have two capable prospects in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/pachecr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cristian Pache<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=waters002dre&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Drew Waters<\/a>,<\/strong> who could step up and man the outfield at Truist Park.<\/p>\n<h3>Chicago White Sox<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/mlb-teams\/chicago-white-sox\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago White Sox<\/a> were one of the most aggressive teams in free agency last winter. Chicago signed <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grandya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yasmani Grandal<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/keuchda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dallas Keuchel, <\/a><\/strong>and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/encared01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edwin Encarnaci\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong> and gave <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/abreujo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jos\u00e9 Abreu<\/a><\/strong> a new contract. As a result, they made the postseason for the first time since 2008. The White Sox will now be looking to take the next step after being eliminated in the Wild Card series at the hands of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/mlb-teams\/oakland-athletics\/\" target=\"_self\">Oakland Athletics<\/a>. Signing a player like Ozuna would do just that.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also worth noting that Chicago was reportedly close to a deal with Ozuna last offseason before he signed with the Braves. Both <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mazarno01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nomar Mazara<\/a><\/strong> and Encarnaci\u00f3n were significant disappointments for the White Sox last season, so they are prime position to add another big bat.<\/p>\n<h3>Texas Rangers<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/mlb-teams\/texas-rangers\/\" target=\"_self\">Texas Rangers<\/a> were one of the frontrunners in the Ozuna sweepstakes last offseason. Although they didn&#8217;t land him, they have another crack at it this offseason. It&#8217;s safe to say that they could use him. As Mark Feinsand of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/news\/marcell-ozuna-free-agent-forecast\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MLB.com noted<\/a>, &#8220;Based on the Rangers\u2019 offensive ranks &#8212; they were last in the American League in both runs scored and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/m.mlb.com\/glossary\/standard-stats\/on-base-plus-slugging\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">OPS<\/a> &#8212; they could have used him. The Rangers\u2019 left fielders had a collective four home runs with a .594 OPS, and their DH spot produced a league-worst .575 OPS and four home runs.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Rangers general manager Jon Daniels did admit that they were committed to giving their young players a bulk of the playing time. However, Ozuna would be a huge addition to a struggling lineup on a team that is looking to get back into contention.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Marcell Ozuna Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"fbsIev3JSXVq5AZrf-v7SQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1277243121\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'fbsIev3JSXVq5AZrf-v7SQ',sig:'EJ6CczxmQRe8gnCILR0AnuMASOmIcokCyFTE4Ywt3r0=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1277243121',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After back-to-back All-Star seasons with the Miami Marlins in 2016-17, Marcell Ozuna was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. Although he didn&#8217;t quite perform at the same level as he did in Miami, Ozuna still posted solid numbers in his time with St. Louis. Last offseason, the 30-year-old turned down a $17.8 million qualifying offer [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2924,"featured_media":40122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,10,2],"tags":[48,221],"class_list":["post-40120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-braves","category-whitesox","category-featured","tag-atlanta-braves","tag-marcell-ozuna"],"modified_by":"Ben Kerr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2924"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40120\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}