Fansided

Five free agent targets to complete a perfect offseason for the Atlanta Braves

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves follows the play against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on September 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves follows the play against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on September 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 12: Marcell Ozuna #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after striking out in the seventh inning of game two of the National League Championship Series against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium on October 12, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 12: Marcell Ozuna #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after striking out in the seventh inning of game two of the National League Championship Series against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium on October 12, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

4. Marcell Ozuna

All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal would have been a perfect target for the Braves, who need to replace Brian McCann’s veteran leadership and steady hand with a young pitching staff. Alas, Grandal signed a four-year deal with the Chicago White Sox for $73 million. The backstop had turned down offers in the four-year, $60-million range last winter, so his bet on himself paid off.

The Braves can cobble together a catcher platoon with Tyler Flowers and another similar low-cost veteran. If their focus remains on adding another big bat, Marcell Ozuna is an intriguing target. Atlanta already re-signed veteran Nick Markakis, but the 36-year-old should be ticketed for a greatly reduced role in 2020 after hitting just .285/.356/.420 last season with only nine home runs. With Cristian Pache on the rise, the Braves may look to get out from under the remaining $17 million they owe Ender Inciarte. The center fielder has hit just .283/.342/.392 in four seasons in Atlanta. Pache plays defense just as well as Inciarte, has higher upside as a hitter and costs considerably less as a rookie.

Ozuna is coming off two disappointing seasons in St. Louis, but put on a show against the Braves in the NLDS this season. The 29-year-old left fielder hit .263/.327/.452 in 278 games with the Cardinals and had only 39 doubles, 52 home runs and 177 RBI. The year prior to being traded from Miami, Ozuna had hit .312/.376/.548 with 37 home runs and 124 RBI and won a Gold Glove. His defense also suffered in St. Louis.

It may be that Ozuna just needs a fresh start to get his career back on track. His best season coincided with Giancarlo Stanton’s 59-homer season, but he never had that level of protection in St. Louis. In Atlanta, Ozuna would be parked in between Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies and possibly Josh Donaldson. In the right spot, Ozuna’s numbers will snap back sharply.

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