Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna has hired MDR Sports Management to represent him, the agency announced. He’s preparing for free agency after earning $12.25MM this season, his final arbitration campaign.
Ozuna’s new reps have a clear focus on Latin American ballplayers. Their lengthy client list includes one player of particular note: Ozuna’s teammate and Cardinals fixture Yadier Molina.
With the season well underway, and the Cardinals having recently committed future dollars to several other veteran players, the focus for Ozuna and company will likely be on the open market. After a flurry of extensions and a strong start to the season for Ozuna, he checked in at the number three position on MLBTR’s Free Agent Power Rankings.
But it’s at least theoretically possible that extension talks could still take place. MDR has negotiated three extensions with the Cards on Molina’s behalf. Before he was dealt to St. Louis, Ozuna was approached by the Marlins about a long-term deal. He reportedly rebuffed the Miami organization’s advance due in part to the advice of previous agent Scott Boras.
As always, check out MLBTR’s Agency Database for representation information.
He learned. Don’t go for broas
Anytime Boras gets fired is a good day for baseball!!
Says you!!
Yeah, says him. He literally said it. Very observational.
Lol
What kind of contract could he expect? He had one great year and a few good years. He’s 28 years old, has some power. ,275/ 328 / 455. If the Cards offer a QO, he might have to take it. No QO and I could see a team going 4 years at 18 mil/yr? With a draft pick attached I could see a very limited market and who knows what he might get…. if anything
Agreed, players need to take note of the last 2 off seasons and accept a QO whether they like it or not. It used to be unheard of for a guy to accept it and now only a select few can escape it. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong but it’s reality until the new CBA is put in place.
Who would want to sign a long term deal with the Marlins unless they massively overpaid? To stay stuck there?
LOL.
Yeah, who would want to secure their financial future when they were going through a rocky time with the teams management at the time?
LOL
Didn’t the cardinals attempt to get him inked to an extension right after acquiring him from the marlins and wasn’t there something about that here at MLBTR? Regret over that possibly play a part since Boras likes taking “his” people to FA also involved in this?
May help Card’s chances of reupping him before end of the year regardless.
This is very interesting…seems like the cardinals will resign him…if so O’Neill immediately becomes trade bait…I assume for SP
3rd Agent in 5 years.
The real question is what’s up with this guys beard?
The world may never know
One big season, some decent ones. If I am a hitter-friendly ballpark I take a chance on him. Otherwise he’s a 3-year deal under $45-million and he won’t accept. I wouldn’t use up 10% of my payroll on Ozuna.
He’s only 28 and still plays the OF well enough that both NL and AL teams can give him a long term look. Yes, the market has changed in the last 2-3 years, but 4 years at $80-$90M would not surprise me.
I think if the numbers creep above 4/$80M, Cards likely move on from him.
Get ready for Mozeliak to sign Ozuna and over pay yet another average, lazy Player
He’s also not a lazy player. Hes taken the extra base so many times this year I’ve lost count.
He’s the oldest looking 28 year old I’ve seen since Albert Pujols.
You should check out Austin Romine, he could pass for 50.
Lol,
It’s 1 of those situations where his 2019 stats probably determine his earning power. He was excellent in 2017, average in 2018, so which player is he?
This will be a tough call for the Cards’ brass. Before Ozuna went on a tear, I thought a trade might be in order, but to his credit his baserunning has been terrific lately and defense much improved. And while he currently is in a funk offensively, he still looks better at the dish. Part of the equation is the other outfield options. The combo of Fowler and Martinez makes the Red Birds outfield defense weak. Trade, extension, or pass all options. An extension probably depends on his play heading into the break. Maybe an incentive, or elevate his trade value, which is something Ozuna and his rep would welcome, cause it would remove the draft choice scenario, when seeking his free agency next year.
Ever notice how this site never says anything bad about the agents? Boras got fired and they never even mention it. Wtf.
I hope Ozuna’s agent and the Cardinals can come up with a reasonable figure and years and resign him.