Marcell Ozuna’s contract leaves little wiggle room for the Atlanta Braves

Without the MLB’s help, Marcell Ozuna’s contract with the Atlanta Braves is now an albatross.

The Atlanta Braves should hope for some assistance from the MLB if they want to get out of the Marcell Ozuna contract. Otherwise, the Braves could not be more behind the eight-ball here.

With the Braves outfielder having been arrested over Memorial Day weekend for felony aggravated assault by strangulation and misdemeanor battery, Ozuna’s days in Atlanta could be done. Who would have thought him breaking two of his fingers up in Fenway would be the last we would see of him in Atlanta uniform? Atlanta may eventually want out of the contract, but it sure is a doozy.

If the Braves cannot get out of Ozuna’s contract, the organization will be in total financial mess.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Braves likely cannot void Ozuna’s contract.

Could the Atlanta Braves get out of Marcell Ozuna’s contract?

In his first year with the Braves, Ozuna led the National League on home runs and runs batted in. He took home a Silver Slugger as the team’s star designated hitter. Ozuna was instrumental in the 2020 team’s clubhouse culture. When you think of Mix It Up and overly celebratory selfies, you think of him. Any and all goodwill he built up with Braves Country could be forever tarnished depending the results of a police investigation.

Very late into the offseason, Ozuna agreed to a four-year, $65 million extension with the Braves. The plan was for him to protect Freddie Freeman in the heart of the order and play left field until the DH inevitably becomes universal before the end of the contract. Now the Braves are on the hook for $16 million annually through the 2024 season. No, they will not exercise the 2025 option.

Simply put, the Braves have to be banking on a contract clause that would allow them to void the remaining money. A potential MLB suspension could allow them to do that depending on the deal’s language. But as Rosenthal reports, it’s not likely. That doesn’t mean Atlanta will hold onto him, though.

If Ozuna is going to spend time behind bars, you have to believe his contract will be voided.