3 players the Braves will lose in free agency

Ozuna played in every single regular-season game for the Braves, showing the St. Louis Cardinals what happens when you lowball him and force him to take a one-year prove-it deal with a contender. Ozuna might win the NL MVP award this season, as his .338 average was just a few ticks off of the NL lead. When paired with his NL-best 18 home runs and 56 RBIs, Ozuna might break the bank in free agency. Atlanta might be priced out of any sort of Ozuna return, meaning an elite slugger might be on his way to a contender near you.

A move to an American League team might make sense for Ozuna, as he can lineup as the designated hitter every day to mask his defensive issues while showing the skill with the bat that has made him such an elite offensive talent.

If a contending AL team looks under the couch cushion and finds enough money to pay Ozuna while giving the ability to DH, Atlanta might not only let their biggest free agent leave for another team that has World Series aspirations, but they’ll also leave an Ozuna-sized hole in the heart of their order that likely won’t be filled in one offseason.