Pending free-agent left fielder Marcell Ozuna has made it known he’d prefer to re-sign with the Cardinals, but it doesn’t look likely with free agency approaching. The Cardinals won’t be making an effort to re-up Ozuna to a long-term contract before the market opens in a couple weeks, Mark Saxon of The Athletic writes (subscription link). They are, however, likely to issue Ozuna a $17.8MM qualifying offer, according to Saxon.
[RELATED – FA Outlook: Marcell Ozuna]
If the Cardinals do hit Ozuna with a QO and he accepts, they’ll keep him for 2020. Otherwise, rejecting would enable Ozuna to head to free agency as arguably the most appealing corner outfielder available in a class that will also include Nicholas Castellanos and Yasiel Puig, among others. In a best-case scenario for Ozuna, St. Louis will pass on doling out the QO, as saddling him with one would force another team to give up draft-pick compensation in signing him. As we’ve seen in recent offseasons, clubs generally aren’t enthusiastic about losing draft capital while simultaneously having to fork over a sizable contract.
In the event Ozuna does get to free agency with a QO attached, he’ll still have a case for one of the offseason’s top paydays. Set to turn 29 next month, Ozuna’s coming off his fifth season with at least 2.6 fWAR since he debuted with the Marlins in 2013. Ozuna continued a trend of above-average (but not spectacular) offensive production in 2019, as he slashed .243/.330/.474 with 29 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 549 plate appearances. If we’re to believe Statcast, there may be more in the tank – Ozuna’s expected weighted on-base average (.379) far outpaced his real wOBA (.340) and ranked in the majors’ 91st percentile. He was also near the apex of the league in average exit velocity (91.8 mph; 93rd percentile) and hard-hit percentage (49.2; 96th percentile), among other Statcast metrics.
While Ozuna hasn’t been able to replicate the star-caliber 2017 he enjoyed with the Marlins during his two years as a Cardinal, his output would still be a challenge for the Redbirds to replace. St. Louis does have several other outfielders in the mix, though, and it’s not a guarantee the club will aggressively pursue outside help in the wake of an Ozuna exit. With Dexter Fowler, Harrison Bader, Tyler O’Neill, Tommy Edman, Jose Martinez, Lane Thomas, Yairo Munoz, Randy Arozarena and high-end prospect Dylan Carlson among options under control for next season, the Cardinals “have no intention of adding to the outfield glut” this winter, Saxon writes.
Brain-genius Moz strikes again. That sweep was truly pathetic
What does this comment have to do with the article?
You just randomly running around complaining about a front office that was in the NLCS?
i hate the results but i have to tip my cap to the nats they were the better team. yes i would of loved to see a ws but tbh i’m surprised we made where we did. I feel we had a lot things fall into place for us and simply our luck ran out. this is come from a die hard cards fan
3/4 of the MLB would love to be where the Cards are at. Getting beat is part of baseball.
Anyway the Cards are going to QO Ozuna and if he was smart you take it play the year out then sign the 3 year deal with no strings attached. Agents should be telling their clients this seems like the new trend.
The NL this year was some of the worst baseball I’ve seen in 20 years. Atlanta and LA continue to be the biggest choke franchises in the last 30 years.
Jealousy…man I bet you wish your team was half of what the cardinals organization is…must suck…it’s ok CFAP
I don’t own a team. So “My” team doesn’t exist.
Man, you’re absolutely right. The fact the NL was so well balanced and had playoff races still alive within the last 2 weeks was just embarrassing. The AL, being full of 100 game winners and 100 game losers is what it’s all about. Who cares about competitiveness throughout the league as long as you have 6 teams at the top to duke it out?
CFAP that is the dumbest comment people make…just because you don’t own a team you can’t use the terminology of “my team”…you think you are a know it all and come on here and try to gift us with your superior intellect when in fact you only look like a fool and give us your pessimistic view…you present no facts just opinion…although for some reason you think you are presenting facts…all hail CFAP lol get a life
i never liked the “my team” stuff, especially when players use it.
I own shares of the Braves – and so can you. They are totally “my team”
@dmarcus15 I concur, sir. He should take it. He’s still 28. He will still get a huge payday after 2020. He should have a better walk-off season than what he produced. Give it another go after 2020 an when not having that QO attached will get him more offers.
That’s coming from a guy who wants to see the Giants sign him.
Mo must go. Fire Mo
Yeah he put together a economically sound team that made it to the NLCS and a Division Title GTF out of here become a padre, Cincy, Baltimore, or Seattle fan they would love to have Mo!
Please take him. He’ll handcuff you with poor long term contracts and sit on his butt during the trade deadline. He’d go to Seattle and sign Mallex Smith to a six year deal.
That’s baseball. They ran into a buzz saw nats team. Scherzer and Strasburg anyone will struggle. With that said yes they could have at least grinder at bats better. Ozuna had a big brain fart on bases getting tagged going to 3rd
Oddly enough, I missed all of Mo’s at bats. Was that him out there swinging and missing like the other players? Did he commit critical errors? I’ll have to watch more closely next season.
If he hits FA, I see no more than a Procello style contract
Well, BYE.
Having Ozuna and Martinez in the same outfield is an insult to any real outfielder or any fan of good defensive outfield play. With Carpenter at third, could those three be the worst defensive Cardinal trio of all time? What happened to that good defensive play the Cardinals were know for? WWAVSS?
What Would Andy Van Slyke Say?
The cardinals had one of the best defenses in the league this year?
That’s because errors are a pointless measuring stick, and Carpenter and Martinez didn’t play a lot. So what happens, they play in the post season. And Wong is absolutely over rated and one of the worst post season performers in Cardinala history in terms of defense and baserunning. And their other hot dog defender was riding pine while the overpaid Fowler was batting .040 and playing CF.
Lol Wong over rated? He had a good post season…yea you’re right CFAP Fowler didn’t have a great post season and Bader didn’t either but guess what they at least had a post season…jealousy doesn’t look good on you bud lmao…do you have nothing better to do than troll cardinals articles…lol I guess you do since your team didn’t make the post season…get a life
Cardinals suck
You come up with that all by yourself? Good one
Wong had a good post season? WTF were you watchinf? He made an error fielding a ball, ran out to short RF and scared the guy on ice skates to death, dropped a perfect throw from Edman on a force out that opened the flood gates, and was 7 for 34 at the plate. Yeah, what was I thinking?? LOL TIMES 10
Who or what am I jealous of? I live in St. Louis you fool. You are so sensitive and insecure that you still think I’m a Cubs fan.
Sorry I see reality and you’re blinded by red spots, lollipops, rainbows and bowties.
Lol internet tough guy CFAP…you are one delusional fan then…man it must suck to live in your pessimist world…they made the NLCS…do they need to work on their roster? Of course…but they still made the post season and had success…go outside today and get some sunshine and stop sitting in your dark basement and complaining about the cardinals lol
The Cards are probably the best team defensively in baseball up the middle. Bader, DeJong, and Wong and the aging Molina behind the plate.
You are right, errors are a bad way to measure defense, and the cards were elite defensively by every metric.
The error he made up for with his two run double.
That throw from Edman was far from perfect.
And Martinez needed to catch that ball, not Wong.
Do you even baseball bro?
Edman made a diving stop and threw a ball that was dead center 3 feet from the ground. It hit Wong right in his glove.
And you don’t “make up for an error.” It never goes away. Just like making 2 birdies after a double bogey in golf. The double bogey is still on the scorecard. I
If that’s Martinez catch, then get the hell out of the way.
Bader is so good defensively, that he sat in the playoffs for the most part. Awesome.
Lastly, do “I even baseball, bro?” Not any more because I’m over 40 now. What baseball do you do, bro? Tell me of all your exploits please…
Cards81, how am i a tough guy for pointing out Wong’s post season? I always know when someone fails in a discussion on here. The basement comment and get a life comment comes out. So does the “your life must suck.” I got news for you pal. My life is just fine. If you think what I say on here about a baseball team mirrors my life, you are sorely mistaken. Wake the hell up.
Wong is definitely over rated.
The Cardinals have three 1b/DH players on the roster heading into next year. I’d be shocked if Martinez isn’t traded and it just makes the Carpenter extension look that much worse.
They also have three 2B men. It’s a hodge podge of misfits.
What are you talking about? Wong is the only everyday 2b man. Munoz and Edman can play 2b but also ss, 3b and the outfield. Can’t put Carp in the conversation cause he didn’t play at 2nd at all this year.
Don’t mind CFAP…he thinks he is a know it all but really doesn’t know his ….. from his head
Hang on. Munoz absolutely can NOT play the outfield. I mean…sure, he can stand out there and take up space, but Yairo Munoz should definitely never be in the outfield. Dude probably shouldn’t be on a major league field in any capacity, but that’s more debatable.
jacklyncho713, Munoz fielding figures were 1.000 in the OF in 28 games. and 1.000 at 3B. How about knowing some facts before spouting off lies.
Munoz never started a game at 2B this year
I hope they make a FA splash signing or trade this offseason!!
If FA splash signing is 5/100, then maybe. Other than that, good luck and keep wishing.
Its too bad his shoulder cost us what feels like 10+ defensive runs over the last year. His intelligence defensively cost us another few. You cannot put major liabilities on your corners and expect Bader to pick up the slack. We already have cafecito waiting to be our DH when it is implemented in the next few seasons. Maybe spend some of Ozuna’s money on Rendon or trade for some consistency.
Who the eff is “cafecito?” If you’re implying Jose Martinez, then that blows. A DH better be hitting more than 15 HR a year. There are better options, and soon to be younger options for the DH role, IF that ever happens.
Do you get off on hating on the Cardinals?
If you look at his stats for the last 2 years he is just a average OF. There is nothing that says he should become a FA if he is offered a QO. Any team that gives him more than a 4/$60 deal they made a big mistake. One great year in 2017 means he is more likely to be average than a top OF.
Ozuna would be smart to accept the QO and prove he is healthy…then he also wouldn’t have the draft pick attached
If stating facts is “hating”, then yes.
Jose Martinez has a lifetime 122 wRC+
That would be great at DH
What’s his qSRW+×?
I know cardinals have outfield dwpth but would they be interested in a piscotty reunion? A’s have too many righthanded hitters eapecially in outfield and will have a roster crunch with several out of option players like baretto and mateo. Along with outfielders dustin fowler and skye bolt blocked in AAA and getting older
I don’t think they would…they already have to many outfielders and I think they would want more than what Piscotty has to offer…still like the guy though and wish him the best
What a mess but there won’t be any personal accountability from POBO Mo as usual.
That said, though I love him, J-Mart should probably be dealt freeing up space & a little coin.
Moving forward? I’m guessing with the extra roster spot, they could platoon all 3 OF positions & carry just 1 backup infielder which Munoz could handle & possible platooning of Edman/O’Neill in left, Fowler/Bader in CF & Carlson/Randy-A in right.
And there’s no way on gods green earth that they are throwing Carp to the trash heap for that would be the ultimate acknowledgment of failed player evaluation & that won’t happen with the current regime.
The only chance of upgrade this offseason is a big trade with one of the middle infield spots being the target & who knows, maybe they do something stupid like trading DeJong/Gorman/another prospect to Cleveland for 1 year of Lindor which would not surprise me in the slightest.
It seems the emperor & his tact wears no clothes after the shakedown by the Feds…
With Fowler and Carpenters contracts already crippling this team. I’d hate to see the cards invest in a long term deal with Ozuna. Too many questions with his shoulder. Have no idea how he won a gold glove a few years ago
Ozuna used to be a beast in the outfield. As a mets fan I would know. Just 2 seasons ago the guy was an elite runner used to man cf too had a great arm very strong and accurate. He does look heavier now He was leaner in miami.
He needs to dedicate this off season to conditioning get in better shape.
Chances 29 Yr Old corner OF with limited defensive value off one of his worst offensive seasons accepts QO? Fairly high. $17.8M to ensure no draft pick compensation attached to his services next offseason where there’s a remote chance a DH is implemented universally. Cardinals will want the draft pick but it comes with the risk of being accepted.
Corner Outfielders in Ozuna’s profile have struggled on the Free Agency market for Yrs. Arguably the easiest position to fill. Few fits seem like the Reds, Rangers & White Sox. But there’s too many bats to fill those holes. Ozuna probably lands 3 Yrs $45-48M in Free Agency if he finds the right fit. So why not accept the $17.8M, try to show he’s the 4 WAR player of the past & test FA next November?
Exactly my sentiment
The D=Backs make a ton of sense for Ozuna.
Right now the outfield has David Peralta(returning from shoulder surgery) and 1/2 a Ketel Marte.
They essentially have no money on the books following the 2020 season once they rid themselves of their highest paid “player”……Yasmany Tomas.. Plus they had something like 15 of the the first 100 picks in the last draft, they can afford to lose a pick.
They have the young starting pitching in place already along with Marte on an insanely cheap contract. They just need some bats.
Maybe sign a bat like Ozuna and explore a trade for either Starling Marte or JBJ allowing them to play Ketel full time at 2B closing another hole that is harder to fill.
Bring him back to Miami. 4 years 80 million.
Just what the Cardinals need an oft injured Punch and Judy player.
crazylarry, Punch and Judy hitter? 29 HRs and 89 RBIs?
A year after McCutchen getting 3/$50m and Brantley getting 2/$32m, neither one with a QO attached, I think he would be very smart to take the QO (if offered, definitely not a certainty.) (Brantley didn’t even get a QO.)
Prospect are prospective quality players. That’s the reason the Cardinals got into the position they were in. Mozeliak would not trade prospects for high quality proven MLB players.
Looks like the Cardinals are going to keep Mozeliak on as President of baseball operations. So here comes 2014-2018 out of the playoffs again. Mozeliak wouldn’t trade Martinez and Reyes when they had value. Now he could hardly catch a bite of his own Low Hanging Fruit for them put together. John Mozeliak won’t get a Derrick Cole, Rendon or a Jackie Bradly Jr. He Likes to sign people like a washed up Matt Carpenter for 2yrs. $36. Brett Cecil, Gregerson, Holland, Leone, Fowler, etc, etc, etc. Geez!!!
they traded 6 decent prospects for ozuna and goldshmidt. and you’re right, that derrick cole is pretty good. and why would cardinals even look at bradley? he’s a left handed bader? cecil had a good 1st season, fowler had a good 1st season and was paid market value that year, and carp is a little overpaid but if he pulls together another season like 2018 he will be worth it. holland deal was trying to spend to fill an obvious hole. typical spoiled cards fan thinks if a player is not an all star they suck.
The Cardinals have a mess of contracts right now for next year… I don’t see how they extend Ozuna. His defense is horrible and while he has good power, his average just isn’t there and he sucks at baserunning. I personally like Arozarena, he has good defense, is fast, and has a good bat at least in the minors. He showed a lot of upside when he got playing time, I wish he would have gotten some more AB’s this year. But he had a heck of a minors career. Unfortunately the Cards are going to have to make some tough decisions this offseason because of all the dumb contracts, I think this is a risk I would be willing to take. I also like Bader, but his hitting has to improve otherwise I don’t see him as a long term answer. think Carlson is showing all kinds of upside in the minors right now, but from a contract standpoint maybe you just leave him in the minors one more year unless you are able to make some trade
First w/Carpenter, here we had a guy that was already locked in for next year, but they decide to give him another year. He is getting older, extremely slow and a poor defender. Maybe his bat just had a down year and he turns it around next year, but even so it was still such a bad extension. I can only hope he hits .250 w/25 HR’s., if he does this will any AL team maybe be interested in him as a DH??? I don’t think so, but one has to have faith lol! I don’t even know from a defensive position standpoint, where are you playing him next year? I have no idea what Mozeliak was doing w/this one, it is just baffling lol!
Next w/Fowler, this guy has one career year w/the Cubs and the Cards give him quite possibly one of the worst contracts in Baseball lol. He plays good defense, and we can only pray he hits .250 next year w/15 HR’s. I can only hope for those type of stats, so that we can keep Edman at 3B full time next year and play Fowler full time in the OF. At least he was hitting the ball hard at times in the playoffs, even if they weren’t actual base hits. Other than that, I feel like the Cards are stuck w/him. Maybe they could trade him if he gets hot next year and has a repeat of the Cubs year
I didn’t mind Yadi’s one year extension, I think they overpaid him a little bit but I think injuries plagued him this year and I think it will not be a bad contract overall next year.
Jose Martinez needs to go to the AL in a trade, he is a good hitter w/a very reasonable contract next year. My god package him w/someone and just get an upgrade somewhere.
We still have one more year of paying Cecil, and that is enough said. What a crap signing!
I don’t know what to think about C. Martinez contract, he has ups and downs. Does he go back to starting next year or stay as a closer? His contract could go either which way, maybe good maybe bad. I think if he does well next year, we try to trade him. One thing for sure, he looks like he needs to focus on his conditioning and mental wellbeing. He seems to be packing on some lbs. and there was no excuse for his antics w/Acuna during the playoffs. I don’t care what happened in the past, you need to focus in and do your job. If you want to fight him or whatever after the series is over then fine.
I still don’t mind Wong’s contract, it is not bad and he showed he has upside offensively and a good defender typically. I think he has a solid year next year.
Love Goldy’s contract… great defender/baserunner/power hitter/teammate and I think the .260 average was the lowest we will ever see. I think he is back to a .290+ average next year.
I hate that mlb hasn’t tested marcell ozuna for ped usage. He’s obviously been using. When was the last time a player nearly tripled their home run and rbi totals. Which is what he did. Ironically he tripled those numbers when barry 8was his hitting coach.. a know. User from 1995 to when ever he retired.
ozuna is proof ped use didn’t work the last two years
Cards need an impact bat. Probably more then one. Godly was a good start but he needs help. Dejong looked lost most of the year and 3B was a nightmare for most of the year until Edman filled in and took the job from Carp. I’m not completely sold on Edman and feel the cards need outside help. I get not resigning Ozuna. His production is trending down. Defense gets worse each year and the strikeout continue to pile up. I’m not sure who STL can get next year. I think Carlson could help but who knows if he would even hit up here yet. I think tommy Edman could play center next season. He seems to take good routes on balls and has the speed for it. Also he hits a way better rate then Bader. That leaves 3B open for Carp and who ever they bring in. Donaldson? That could work cause he may sign a 2-3 year deal considering his age. That gives Gorman time to develop in aa/aaa. I honestly think that Carp May be Allen Craig at this point. You can’t count on him to figuare it out. It never happened this season. I’m Not sure what I’m even posting about since I went on this long rant so I bid you all Good Day.
carp is not craig, carp at least still has power and a decent eye at the plate. craig got by on 1-2 lucky seasons with risp and never developed power. im not sold on edman either, he still profiles as a super utility guy. carp should be give. a chance, but worst case scenario he’s a lefty bat off the bench that can backup both a rh 1b and rh 3b. obviously its an expensive bench bat but he can still fill a needed role. Ozuna will be here 1 more year in left with QO, and then 2 players out of bader, fowler, thomas, oneil, arozarena need to step up in cf and rf. if we see carlson in 2020 it means hes either a stud or that group of 5 above is garbage.