Marcell Ozuna’s free agency started off like it might follow a familiar script - a few whispers here and there, some logical links to AL teams in need of a DH with pop, and the assumption that he’d land somewhere in that mid-tier market range. But after that initial buzz?
Nothing. And that silence says more than most rumors ever could.
Let’s be clear: Ozuna is no fringe bat. In 2024, he reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be when locked in.
Playing a full 162-game slate, he slashed .302/.378/.546 with 39 home runs, 104 RBI, and a .925 OPS. His 154 OPS+ put him well above league average, and he racked up 4.3 WAR - an impressive number for a player who spent most of his time at designated hitter.
That’s not just a solid year; that’s middle-of-the-order thunder.
But 2025 told a different story - and it’s the one teams are paying attention to right now.
The production dipped. Ozuna still played 145 games, but the slash line dropped to .232/.355/.400.
He managed 21 homers and 68 RBI, but his OPS fell to .756, and his OPS+ slid to 113. His WAR dropped to 1.6.
That’s a notable decline, especially for a bat-first player whose value is almost entirely tied to what he does at the plate.
So now the question isn’t whether Ozuna can still hit - he can. It’s whether teams believe they’re getting the 2024 version or the 2025 version.
And when you’re a DH, there’s not much room for error. If the power is fading and the contact isn’t there to balance it, teams aren’t going to be eager to carve out a roster spot.
That’s the challenge Ozuna is facing in this market. He doesn’t bring defensive versatility.
He’s not a plug-and-play piece. He’s a DH - and a DH who needs to be a difference-maker with the bat to justify the role.
To be fair, there were still some encouraging signs in 2025. Ozuna actually drew more walks - 94 compared to 74 the year before - despite having fewer plate appearances.
His on-base percentage held up better than his batting average, which suggests he didn’t lose his eye at the plate. That’s the kind of plate discipline that can extend a hitter’s shelf life, even when the power numbers take a hit.
But free agency is rarely about nuance. It’s about certainty. And right now, teams are treating Ozuna like a high-risk bet - someone who needs a full-time DH slot, who might not replicate his best form, and who comes with enough downside that the price better reflect the risk.
That brings us back to Atlanta. The Braves know Ozuna better than anyone.
They’ve seen the highs and the lows up close. They’ve seen him carry the offense for stretches and disappear for others.
And now, they’re in a position where they might be his best - or only - fit.
It’s not hard to understand why the market is quiet. Teams are hesitant. They’re doing the math, weighing the risk, and asking the same question: was 2024 a final flash, or does Ozuna still have another big season in him?
For the Braves, that question carries real weight. Because if they believe the bat still has life, they may be the only team willing to bet on it.