The Atlanta Braves have signed OF Marcell Ozuna to a 1 year, $18 million contract. The team made the news official on Tuesday night, shortly after the Hall of Fame announcement. The former Gold Glove and Silver Slugger will join an already dangerous offensive team in Atlanta after playing the last two seasons in St. Louis.
Ozuna came into the offseason as one of the top outfield free agents, looking for a multi-year deal. The deal seemed to come as a shock to everybody, as it was not previously rumored anywhere. Ozuna hit .241/.328/.472 with 29 HR and 89 RBI. After a down year in 2019, Ozuna is looking to get back on track with the Braves in 2020 in time for him to hit free agency again in a year. Although Ozuna is not known for his fielding, he won a Gold Glove in 2017 with the Miami Marlins.
Marcell Ozuna helps add a powerful, middle of the lineup bat, which Atlanta hopes can help fill the void left by Josh Donaldson, who hit 37 HR in 2019, only behind Ronald Acuna Jr. (41) and Freddie Freeman (38) on the Braves.
Since the Cardinals gave Ozuna a qualifying offer, the Braves will have to give them $500,000 in international slot money, and draft picks #71 and #99.
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