Dominant former Marlins slugger is on his way out from the team's rivals

The 2025 season is looking much better for the Miami Marlins, as a new hitting core is beginning to take shape. It might not look as good for the division rival Atlanta Braves. They have quite a few decisions to make this off-season and one of them involves former Fish bat Marcell Ozuna. I don't expect him back despite his big season.

Former Miami Marlins slugger is likely leaving the Atlanta Braves.

Marcell Ozuna had a shaky career with the Miami Marlins. He played for the team from 2013 to 2017. In 2013, he debuted with a .265/.303/.389 batting line, with 3 home runs and 32 RBI in 70 games and 275 AB. As hard as it is to believe, he was actually a CF at the time.

Ozuna received regular playing time in 2014, batting .269/.317/.455, with 23 home runs and 85 RBI in 153 games and 565 AB. He was worth an excellent 1.1 dWAR that season and 4.4 WAR in general. That ended up being the second best WAR of his Marlins career. It was however the best dWAR of his career.

In 2015, he batted .259/.308/.383, with 10 home runs and 44 RBI in 123 games and 459 AB. It was a down performance from him, but he would improve in 2016. That season, he batted .266/.321/.452, with 23 home runs and 76 RBI in 148 games and 557 AB. His best season was of course in 2017. He batted .312/.376/.548, with 37 home runs and 124 RBI in 159 games and 613 AB. He was worth 5.6 WAR. That also was his last season with The Fish, as he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals after the season. That trade was a steal as it brought the Marlins starting pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen.

Since leaving the Miami Marlins, he's played for the St. Louis Cardinals and now the Atlanta Braves. He's now a full-time DH. 2021-2022 were a disaster for him in Atlanta, as he batted .222/.278/.397 during that span of 172 games and 658 AB. He finally bounced back last season, batting .274/.346/.558, with 40 home runs and 100 RBI in 144 games and 530 AB. He's looking at an even better season now and will beat all of those numbers by the time it's over.

The problem is he's going to be a 34 year old DH next season. There's a $16 million team option on him next season. I would've thought that they'd pick it up, but they acquired another DH a month ago....former Marlin Jorge Soler. Soler can't really be in the OF with his lack of defensive ability (-11.7 career dWAR). They also have Ronald Acuna Jr. back from injury at his typical position of RF and Jarred Kelenic in LF. They certainly like Kelenic, so I can't imagine them giving up on him after just one season.

Jorge Soler happens to be signed for the next two seasons at $16 million per season. It certainly looks like they will simply decline the option on Ozuna and install the younger Soler at the position. This will make them worse, benefitting the Miami Marlins.