It may finally be time for the Atlanta Braves to let Marcell Ozuna go, but they have a couple options as to how to pursue it.
Marcell Ozuna’s future is in flux. Even a moderate season from the former All-Star would have guaranteed him another year in Atlanta based on his contract alone. No one, even Alex Anthopoulous, likes being proven wrong.
Yet, it’s time for Anthopoulos to eat his words on this one. Ozuna is a gaping hole in the Braves lineup as things currently stand. And with Atlanta about to get several players off the injured list, there won’t be much of a reason to keep him on the roster moving forward. Braves insider Mark Bowman outlined this in a recent article:
“So, how much longer will the Braves keep Ozuna? My guess is his tenure could end soon after Michael Harris II and Travis d’Arnaud return from the injured list. Both were cleared to begin taking batting practice on the field on Saturday.
Once d’Arnaud returns, he’ll draw some of those designated hitter plate appearances that Ozuna has logged over the past couple of weeks. At that point, Ozuna, who is 4-for-51 this season, will not have any clear role.”
With Ozuna on the move shortly, the Braves have three options as to how to go about it.
Atlanta Braves could bench Marcell Ozuna
Benching may sound like a good idea, but it also includes Atlanta taking on the remainder of his contract for what essentially amounts to a very expensive bench bat. Plus, Ozuna is a clubhouse issue waiting to happen.
His off-field problems, combined with his contract and lack of playing time should he ride the pine won’t do anything for his confidence. Ozuna’s fWAR is the fourth-worst in baseball thus far.
He’s an abomination at the plate, and despite what used to be a decent outfield glove, no longer keeps his body in the same shape to play a corner outfield spot capably. There’s no positive solution here for Atlanta, even if the fans want the immediate satisfaction of not seeing Ozuna in the starting lineup.