“There’s no way you want to go explore somewhere else when you feel comfortable, when you’ve got your teammates and you’ve got your organization’s love. There’s no doubt in my decision. I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Marcell Ozuna told The Athletic’s David O’Brien about his desire to sign a contract extension with the Braves. Ozuna’s four-year, $65MM deal is up at season’s end, though the Braves hold a $16MM club option for 2025 that looks like a sure bet to be exercised give how well Ozuna is performing at the plate. Coming off a 40-homer campaign in 2023, Ozuna has stayed hot by hitting .344/.419/.677 over his first 105 plate appearances in 2024, leading the National League with nine homers.
The idea of Ozuna remaining in Atlanta over the long term would’ve seemed far-fetched a year ago. The veteran struggled badly over the first two seasons of his contract, and that two-year stint also included an arrest on a DUI charge, and a 20-game suspension under MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. Since the Braves reportedly never considered parting ways with Ozuna in the wake of these issues or his lack of production on the field, it would stand to reason that the team would be open to some kind of longer-term commitment beyond just the club option year. Some obvious obstacles exist — Ozuna will be 35 in November 2025 and is essentially a DH-only player at this point in his career, plus Atlanta’s payroll is already at team-record heights in both pure dollars and in luxury tax value.
More from the NL East…
- Taijuan Walker is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list on Sunday to start the Phillies’ game against the Padres. A shoulder impingement delayed Walker’s 2024 debut, and it also created an opportunity for Spencer Turnbull to open some eyes as the fill-in starter in Philadelphia’s rotation. With an outstanding 1.33 ERA over 27 innings and five starts, Turnbull has certainly pitched well enough to remain in the starting mix, but Rob Thomson told the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Alex Coffey (X link) and other reporters that a decision will be held off on Turnbull’s next step until after Walker throws on Sunday. Turnbull could get a proper start on Tuesday, or be part of a piggyback start with Cristopher Sanchez in Monday’s game. With Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Sanchez, and Turnbull all looking great thus far in the season, Walker’s return gives the Phillies a rare pitching surplus at the moment, and creates a nice problem for the team to navigate.
- In some Mets injury updates, Kodai Senga will throw a live batting practice session on Monday, and Tylor Megill will begin a minor league rehab assignment today with high-A Brooklyn. (The Athletic’s Tim Britton was among those to report the news.) Senga has yet to pitch this season due to a moderate posterior capsule strain suffered during Spring Training, and because of his placement on the 60-day injured list, won’t be eligible to join the Mets until May 27 at the earliest. Megill pitched in one game before a shoulder strain sent him to the 15-day IL. Megill and Senga could each potentially be part of a six-man rotation over the next six weeks, as Britton writes that New York is considering using an extra starter to keep everyone fresh through a busy stretch of the schedule.
- Cade Cavalli is set for a live batting practice session on Monday, his first time facing real hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2023. Cavalli updated reporters (including MASNsports.com’s Bobby Blanco) about his rehab progress, as the plan is for the right-hander to start a minor league rehab assignment in the middle of May. Nationals manager Davey Martinez then views Cavalli’s return to the majors for “sometime at the end of June, maybe July.” The 22nd overall pick of the 2020 draft pitched in exactly one MLB game before his career was put on pause by the TJ procedure, and assuming all goes well health-wise, Cavalli should now be in line for his extended stint in a big league rotation.
Respect to the Braves everyone on this site was saying how crazy they were for not cutting Ozuna yet last April.
Myself included…but he’s been on a tear since May of last year and isn’t slowing down. Side note I can’t believe he’s almost 35, didn’t realize he’s that old
Not sure I’d say “respect” for it, but it was a wise baseball move at least.
Yeah I was thinking he was done. He’s pulled a 180.
They weren’t saying to cut him because he was bad. They were saying to cut him because he wasn’t a good person.
Exactly.
No, it was a combo of both. Off the field distractions plus not being good on the field. Easy to say cut when you have both happening at once.
Most people wanted Ozuna cut for reasons unrelated to talent. I don’t think that’s changed much, but yes, he’s a good baseball player.
If that’s so then why have all the braves fans stopped getting onto him and talking about him being cut since he’s improved? It was both. He was truly awful for awhile. AA said Snitker was the one who kept playing him so it was his good decision.
Because time heals all wounds.
Because the Braves are winning. If Ozuna was slumping they’d all talk about how he’s a bad person.
I hope turnbull can get another chance at starting soon, a 1.33 era is deserving of more playing time
I think the Phillies are going to ride with him a bit more. He’s been excellent. Sanchez is the weak link in the rotation, and even he’s pretty good for a #5. I would perhaps roll with a Turnbull/Sanchez combo in the 5th spot. If Turnbull keeps working out, move Sanchez to the pen. All of this is also dependent on Walker’s success and health.
Turnbull is just another lost Tiger, brought to you by Scott Harris. He keeps having disputes with players on the team and regardless of how affordable they are, he cuts them. Candelario was the first, and Detroit is still waiting for a full time 3B two years later. Turnbull said he was still injured and Harris said no. So instead of keeping him in the Tigers pitching depth, Turnbull was non tendered. Instead, Flaherty cost $14MM when Turnbull was projected at $2.5MM.
He wasn’t one of Harris’s reject signings, so therefore he wasn’t worth keeping! Now he’s pitching like he did before TJ surgery and of course it’s for a lot less money. They pampered Mize when he couldn’t return, but called Turnbull a baby for saying he was hurt. Typical Tigers front office, another example of the ineptness in management in Detroit. Harris is a joke, I’d rather have Avila than him, and Avila was terrible! I hope Turnbull makes them regret signing Harris to a contract, god knows many fans do.
Ego and 2 million in arbitration and Scott Harris scuttles another great young player.
Tylor Megill making 1 or 2 appearances of sub par ball between IL stints
There’s zero reason to extend Ozuna. Let him play out the option year and give him his gold watch or whatever.
He can easily afford to buy his own “gold watch or whatever.”
Blue Baron you are insufferable. I assume all retail workers in your area hate you to the core.
@FartCopter: Says the guy with the dumbest username on here.
Toilet humor, seriously? How old are you, 11?
Not that it’s any of your business, but I do just fine in my area, especially with my 250+ clients.
Here’s an idea, if you dislike what I have to say, then don’t read my comments and don’t reply.
Self-inflicted problem solved.
I think Blue Baron is dumber, personally. Sorry, most people don’t grow out of a good fart joke, which again proves you are an insufferable turd.
I don’t care how many truckers you service in your area. Congrats on the extensive client list, still doesn’t prove everyone doesn’t hate you.
FYI, I don’t serve truckers, and since you don’t know “everyone,” you have no idea about my relationships with family, friends, and clients of my six-figure-per-year business built from scratch.
The more you say, the more foolish you look.
It’s wiser to keep your meathole shut and let the world think you’re a fool than to open it, spew your stupidity, and confirm those thoughts.
But you’re obviously too much of fool to be taken seriously, and your opinions are of no consequence to me, so keep opening your mouth and inserting your foot for all I care.
A little friendly advice: Get out of your mom’s basement and maybe try to get a job. If you make your own money, you might be less of a fartknocker.
Yikes. Looks like I touched a nerve. For someone that solely makes smug comments, you are easily triggered.
Hahah “meathole”
As I said before and speaking of touching a nerve, whatever problem you have is yours and not mine, so you might simply choose to not read my comments and don’t reply.
That way, you see, you’d be behaving like an adult instead of a teenage bully.
In other words, ignore me just as I am about to start ignoring you as you so richly deserve.
Self-inflicted problem solved.
“Zero reason to extend”…Rewarding performance is important and I think Atlanta should strongly consider picking up his option. That being said, it wouldn’t be wise to go multiple years with a player his age. If he’s still good after the option year, I still think Atlanta’s in the drivers seat to retain him, should they choose to do so.
He’s making up for his terrible performances in 2021-22. Pickup his option then you can offer a QO the year after if possible.
Jeff Passan ever redact his Ozuna stuff with the wife? Deleted tweets aren’t redacted statements
it doesn’t matter, Liberal writers can post/tweet/write whatever they like with no consequences….They just simply ignore it when they’re wrong and it freaking works! lol…Everyone else should take notice on the ‘how-to’ honestly haha
Taijuan Walker, Darrick Hall, Andrew Bellatti & lottery ticket pitching prospect to the Red Sox for Kenley Jansen, Tyler O’Neil & Bobby Dalbec. Who says no?
As much as Dombrowski is likely salivating at the chance to trade for Kenley, I think Philly shouldn’t give up pitching depth (Walker) for a rental OF (O’Neill).
There is little chance the Braves will resign Ozuna or extend him with an option already available. He would be 36 then. Nobody interested in JD and he has no legal troubles. This is just the player trying to get a deal discussed. If he could defend I may feel different. Why would ATL need to pay up for an offensive only player who takes potential rest away from others when they already have a great offense without him? But if JDs market was an indication I guess they could want him for another year after 2025 but that’s assuming he’s performing still.
Before the DH, teams relied on bench players for rest opportunities. Is that no longer available? DH isn’t a true day of rest, anyway.
I don’t disagree with what you said. My main thought was that instead of cycling players through the spot Ozuna is stuck there since he can’t defend. I think they are two types of rest. DHing for a day is like a half day at work. Also hurts bench players who never get in any games with a full time DH. Also hurts attracting bench pieces to your team as there are less routes to playing time. Also allows catchers to sit down for a game. Would help Darnaud get consistent at bats without having to bench Murphy as often, who is a better fielder. Lastly it would help “rest” braves players hellbent on starting every game.
Know what having a DH with a bat like Ozuna’s doesn’t hurt? Offensive production. Hate to see the Braves bench infielders getting regular ab’s instead. Also better to give the catchers and regulars a real day off.
Agreed. But he sure was awful for most of the deal and when they needed better LF production, which is why they signed him, he couldn’t play defense. When he was DHing then it was a problem as forfeiting that slot to him everyday because of a bad contract was troublesome. Any other team would have noticed the effects more but ATL is elite hitting obviously. The worst kind of bad contract is one where the player is glued in the lineup and can’t even contribute with any other tool. But I’m glad he’s good now and I give him credit.
The six man rotation has a certain symmetry to it. Some pitchers would start 27 times instead of 32 times. Averaging 6 innings per start gets you 162 innings. You could throw twice in between starts. The problem becomes if you lose a starter you have one less option to replace him. I’d like to see if it can work. If Major League Baseball needs 30 more starters, maybe they will develop more starters in the minor leagues.
Each minor league team has a full slate of starters already. If you cut the starts by 20%, and add that sixth starter, I’m sure they will understand taking a 20% pay cut for doing less.
I agree. 6 man rotation makes sense for a few teams out there. It’s a great way for Philly to limit the innings of guys like Turnbull and Walker too. 162 innings would be a successful season for most starters nowadays.
Pass on extending Ozuna. Get an overall skilled player who can do something besides DH! Use the DH position to cycle through other position players who can hit yet do not need to play the field that particular day. Ozuna was never anything but an average OF anyway. That fluke GG in Miami and then saw him do little in STL in his time there. Go young, go for overall talent.
Philly should just go to a 6 man starting staff. It would split the load and should help keep guys like Taijuan healthy.
Spencer Turnbull is a top of the rotation starter
who has over come injuries to come back.
At least a “shared” 5th Starter role for Turnbull should be the Phillies plan.
Turnbull would be a perfect starter in the playoffs for the Phillies.
(Turnbull is coming back from injury. He should be ready for a “full load” in ’25. It is better to “keep him fresh” on a innings limit so Turbull can be ready for starts in the playoffs.
Here is Turnbull pitching a complete game NO HITTER for the Detroit Tigers.
He was named “Co AL Player of the Week” also.
mlb.com/phillies/video/turnbull-is-co-al-player-of…
Big mistake and bone headed move by Tigers Pres of Baseball Ops to let Turnbull go over 2 million in arbitration.
Harris did not sign Turnbull so he did not feel vested in Turnbull’s roster spot with the Tigers .
Spencer Turnbull was drafted by Dave Dombrowski for the Tigers in 2014.
Dombrowski knows talent!
Dave Dombrowski was respoonsible for drafting two pitchers who threw 3 no hitters for the Detroit Tigers: Justin Verlander and Spencer Turnbull.
George Mullin threw the Tigers’ first no-hitter in 1912, and there was a 40-year gap before Virgil Trucks threw his two in the 1950s. Jim Bunning and Jack Morris threw one each before Justin Verlander threw his two, and Spencer Turnbull and a trio (Manning/Foley/Lange) added a pair in the 2020s.
If Walker has to be a starter I’d rather Turnbull in the rotation than Sanchez.