Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves agree on one year deal

MLB Rumors: Marcell Ozuna and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to terms on a one year, $18 million deal, per reports on Twitter.

Ozuna, a 29 year old left fielder, was acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Miami Marlins after a career year in 2017, but regressed over the past two seasons while dealing with a shoulder problem that required surgery. There were persistent rumors that the Rangers were interested in Ozuna, despite him being a LF/DH and the Rangers not needing a LF or DH, and this makes it seem unlikely the Rangers were ever seriously involved.

Ozuna’s market appeared to be largely limited to the Cardinals of late, with his receiving (and rejecting) the qualifying offer meaning a team signing him would lose a draft pick, which no doubt depressed his market. He will have an opportunity to return to the free agent pool next year unencumbered by such a penalty.