Atlanta Braves Make Logical Marcell Ozuna Contract Decision.

The Atlanta Braves made one of the simplest decisions when it comes to designated hitter Marcell Ozuna’s contract.
According to reports, the Atlanta Braves want to execute Marcell Ozuna’s $16 million option for 2025 as a designated hitter.

According to USA Today MLB Columnist Bob Nightengale, even though the team now has two designated hitters on the roster due to the signing of Jorge Soler, he is a part of the future plans.

With the offensive showing, it shouldn’t come as any surprise.

Ozuna is the lone position player All-Star for the Braves in 2024 and competed in the Home Run Derby. Ozuna is in serious contention to win the first NL batting Triple Crown since 1937 thanks to his 86 RBIs, which lead the National League, and his.300 batting average and 32 home runs, which only trail Shohei Ohtani’s 33 home runs and.306 batting average.

The Braves require every available outfield bat. They knew they had Ozuna in the DH place, so they acquired Soler. It’s becoming obvious that they only require the choices.

“I think the one thing we’ve seen the last few years is, you’re going to need more than three [outfielders], and injuries are part of it,” Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said.

Since arriving in Atlanta, Soler has been playing right field and batting leadoff, and that will likely stay that way until Ronald Acuna Jr. returns next season.

Atlanta’s outfielders have been hitting .204 (29th in baseball) with an MLB-worst .606 OPS since Ronald Acuña suffered a season-ending torn ACL, with the third-worst batting average (.208) and OPS (.631) among leadoff hitters.

The Braves see value in Soler’s arm strength despite the fact that he is a liability in right field. “It’s hard to find on-base with power and plus makeup,” Anthopoulos said. “I think people think (it’s only) corner outfield, and we don’t necessarily view it that way. A lot of players in baseball can play left field only, because they don’t have arm strength and so on. The fact that Jorge has some arm strength as well makes an option in right.” “I think people think (it’s only) corner outfield,” Anthopoulos said.