While the potential of a Giancarlo Stanton trade seems to be dominating headlines in Miami, the Marlins have plenty of other players who could potentially be on the move this winter as they look to cut payroll. In particular, a trade of outfielder Marcell Ozuna has the potential to bring back a big haul in terms of prospects while saving the Marlins something in the neighborhood of $25MM over the next two seasons. As a client of Scott Boras, Ozuna is unlikely to sign any sort of extension to remain in Miami, so the organization seems likely to at least explore some trade scenarios this winter.
When considering the possibility of an Ozuna trade, one has to take into account that the Marlins don’t seem to be in any rush to move him. The team reportedly values his contributions highly, and seems more focused on finding trade partners for other players, including Stanton, Dee Gordon and Martin Prado. Any trade involving Ozuna will likely have to meet the Marlins’ asking price without much in the way of wiggle room.
That being said, there would seem to be no shortage of suitors for the two-time All-Star. Ozuna has experience at all three outfield positions (though his defense in center field leaves something to be desired), and packs a wallop from the right side of the plate. His 37 homers and breakout .312/.376/.548 batting line across 679 plate appearances in 2017 could have teams around the league salivating at the mere thought of him being shopped. MLBTR’s arbitration projection model expects him to earn $10.9MM in 2018, which is a considerable sum but certainly a bargain on a 4.8 fWAR player. It would be more difficult to think of contending teams that don’t have a need for Ozuna than to list off those who do.
The key to finding the best suitors for Ozuna comes down to a question of which contending teams have the kind of high-ceiling prospects necessary to wow the Marlins, along with a hole in their outfield gaping enough to give that talent up. For example, the Astros have the kind of prospects that could get a deal done, but probably wouldn’t be interested in paying such a high price to upgrade over serviceable players like Josh Reddick and Marwin Gonzalez. Conversely, the Arizona Diamondbacks have a J.D. Martinez-sized hole in their outfield but lack the kind of headliner prospect necessary to tempt Ozuna away from the Fish.
One potential match that comes to mind is the Nationals. With Jayson Werth set to become a free agent, Ozuna could take over left field. It’s unlikely the Nats would be willing to part with Victor Robles, but even Juan Soto and Carter Kieboom could provide a good starting point. On the other hand, while it makes some sense on paper, division rivals don’t often make trades of that magnitude with each other. To make matters more complicated, the Nationals are already likely to exceed the luxury tax threshold in 2018, and adding another $10.9MM salary to the books would only make things worse.
The Rays, Braves and Blue Jays all own multiple prospects in MLB Pipeline’s top 25, and all three teams could plug a considerable hole with the addition of Ozuna. However, one has to wonder if any of these teams are complete enough to warrant the kind of all-in move that an Ozuna trade would represent. It certainly helps that he comes with two years of team control and would therefore be more than simply a rental.
The Indians are an interesting option. While they have a glut of outfield options after picking up the option on Michael Brantley, they could really benefit from a right-handed outfielder to balance out all the lefties, including Brantley, Lonnie Chisenhall, Bradley Zimmer and Jason Kipnis. One could see an alignment in which Ozuna slots in as their everyday right fielder while Brantley plays first base or DH and Kipnis plays at second. Cleveland holds blue-chip prospects in Francisco Mejia and Triston McKenzie.
The Cardinals are worth mentioning, since they would probably have some level of interest considering their reported pursuit of Stanton. They have a number of top 100 prospects in their system and a 40-man roster crunch that could make it worth dealing a couple of them.
One match that seems to stand out above the rest, however, is the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their outfield is deep, but they’re lacking in truly elite corner outfielders and they probably wouldn’t have trouble tacking on an extra $10.9MM in payroll. To boot, their farm system is one of the deepest in baseball. One could imagine them dangling Alex Verdugo or Yadier Alvarez as a starting point, and adding to the package from there. In theory, the Dodgers seem like a really good match for an Ozuna trade.
As I mentioned earlier, the Marlins certainly don’t need to trade Ozuna this winter, especially if they’re more focused on moving other players. If they want to, however, they’d find no shortage of interested teams. The market for Ozuna would be strong, so Miami ought to seriously consider the possibility.
The Cardinals should pursue Ozuna, and avoid the albatross contract that is Mike Stanton… Yelich would also cost way too much in prospects. Maybe add Prado or Gordon into an Ozuna trade. Payroll decreased for Miami. Cardinals keep Alex Reyes.
The Cardinals won’t do that for 2 years of Ozuna and give up more prospects than it would for Stanton. Yes Stanton’s contract is massive and no team wants that but in terms of years and prospects Stantons a much better option
Mike Stanton? Did you just wake up from 2012?
It’s ok.
I still refer to Dick Allen as “Richie”. Consider “Mike” to be a nickname: the convenience of a single syllable over four.
I agree. I honestly thought the Cards and Ozuna made the most sense. I thought Ozuna and Just Bour to Cards for Reyes, Flaherty, O’neill, Gomber, and Knizner OR Edman. Probably ends up being reyes or flaherty but i would push for that solid package first. It would add a ton of offense to the Cards.
Geez – Louise……..I’m a Marlins Fan, and I don’t think we’re getting Reyes, Flaherty, O’Neill, Gomber and Knizner for Ozuna and Bour (love Justin, but he doesn’t bring a ton of value to this trade because they have Carpenter at 1B…and they’re both bat lefty…..)
I think we’d have be lucky to get that for Stanton & Yelich….LOL
That’s way to much for 2 years of Ozuna and Justin Bour who the Cardinals don’t need
Why so much interest in takin’ care of what isn’t mine?
Um…..It’s Fun?
It’s challenging?
It’s called “A Discussion”……
We all have an interest in these Teams, and like discussing what “”might be”.
We bounce ideas off one another, and sometimes we are enlightened by an idea we didn’t have ourselves……..
Joseph……..Why are you so bothered by it? Why do YOU have an interest in “what’s not yours”…???……..LOL………jk……
Ha yeah it was just a greedy starting package and then obviously move backwards. After years of being on the wrong end of a trade and seeing teams like the white sox ask for the farm and get it nearly everytime, id like to see the Marlins get greedy. Can’t Carpenter play multiple positions? Anyways, So take off Flaherty. Keep the rest of the prospects on there, let them have their pick of one of the OF’s, send them Barraclough as they also want a power pitcher in the BP this offseason from my understanding and one more piece thats not named realmuto, or either of the other OF’s. I still think Ozuna will bring a bigger package deal than Stanton wherever they go.
Jesus Christ you’re absolutely delusional
I have never really understood why we always worry about the amount of money that teams pay to baseball players, when in fact those who receive the profits are the owners … so, why worry about a person being richer?
Nobody worries about an owner being richer. Everyone worries about the cost benefit and how one player’s salary takes away from the ability to get/pay other players. Because even owners have budgets.
Again, we are pulling for our teams to “do well” and if they get screwed in one deal, they won’t be able to make moves that will help fix that.
I don’t know……it’s just “Part Of Being A Fan”…..I guess…
If the Nationals trade for Ozuna they have no position for Adam Eaton. They could put Eaton in CF but that’d put Michael Taylor on the bench. The Nationals don’t seem desperate for an outfielder.
Taylor could be part of the trade
I’m not Nats fan but Taylor is cheaper with more team control and broke out this year. The Nats have plenty of offense but neither Ozuna nor Eaton can touch Taylor on defense. I’d do Taylor for Ozuna, but the Marlins would want more. The Nats system isn’t what it was and that’s not somewhere I’d want to deal from right now. Better to save any prospects for a deadline deal.
stranger things have happened, but I’d be surprised to see any trade involving Ozuna
Now that Miami lefthander Wei-Yin Chen has exercised his option for 2018 through 2020, would the Marlins trade three years of Chen ($52 million), three years of Dee Gordon ($38 million) and two years of Marcell Ozuna (projected 2018 salary of $10.9 million) for a nothing prospect if the trade partner assumes the entire financial obligation of more than $100 million? Or would the Marlins insist on a valuable asset in any trade of Ozuna?
I was thinking about that with the Dodgers. They trade for Ozuna and take on the awful Chen deal. And the return for the Marlins wont be too strong. Ozuna is too good to simply use as a salary dump tool imo
What possible use would the Dodgers have for Chen?
I think he’s suggesting they take on Chen’s salary as a method of getting Ozuna at a lower prospect cost. Which seems interesting to me. They did something similar a while back when they took on Ryan Webb’s contract in exchange for essentially a draft pick.
Theres no use. Its taking on the money to make their prospect return smaller. If the dodgers had a choice between giving up prospects or money its money easily
I understand the concept and yes the Dodgers have traded for dead contracts in the past, but as with Webb they were much smaller and could be immediately cut, and/or for players already on the DL. Chen is significant money and would take up a roster spot, so don’t see a trade and release working here. I don’t know, maybe Scott Kazmir is looking for a roommate.
Plus what about the luxury tax implicatons? No way we take Chen if we dont want to lose ten spots in the next draft, makes no sense not including the higher surcharge the Dodgers would pay in addition to.
But you are forgetting the pitchers with those type of contacts that they’re (dodgers) trying to get off of the team, Kazmir, McCarthy, Ryu..
All three are in their last contract year but the only real comparable to Chen in terms of an ugly contract is Kazmir. He’s being paid the most by far, did not throw a pitch last year, and was a horror show when he did the year before. The other two have been serviceable at least when able to pitch and we can be pretty sure the Dodgers expect both of them to complete for the rotation in 2018. Adding Chen to this mix doesn’t make a lot of sense. Even more to the point Ozuna doesn’t have enough excess value to make it worthwhile for any team to eat the entire Chen contract. The Marlins would have to throw in at least half of his remaining salary to make it pencil out.
I had Seattle in mind when I raised the possibility of packaging Wei-Yin Chen with Marcell Ozuna. The Mariners have limited luxury tax exposure and could dump Chen on to their pile of starters/long relievers who pitch no more than four innings a game.
I see, perhaps a better match than the Dodgers. Still, the excess value in the two years of Ozuna is generously $25M, probably less. It’s difficult to see how Chen is worth much if anything so packaging the two results in a net offset to the Marlins of around $30M. So this is why I say the Marlins would need to eat at least half of Chen’s contract to make this package work for any team.
Dee Gordon, who is owed $38 million over the next three seasons, has been valued at about $98 million over the last four years. Any team that accepts a package of Marcell Ozuna, Wei-Yin Chen and Gordon would hope that the surplus value of Ozuna and Gordon would offset Chen’s negative value.
The acquiring team would assume a risk because early 2018 projections have Gordon at 1.4 and 1.5 WAR, valued only at about his AAV of nearly $13 million.
Who would pay Dee Gordon $25m a year? Exactly nobody. So wherever those figures come from, it’s the land of the bogus.
Besides, this discussion did not even include Gordon until now. It was about Ozuna and Chen.
Every year someone out there estimates how much 1.0 WAR will cost on the free agent market. I think it was around $7-$8 million. II’m not sure how that’s calculated but it’s hardly uniform. Last year the Rays paid $5 million for 2.2 WAR Colby Rasmus.
There’s a difference between what 1.0 WAR costs on a scarce free agent market and what a player is worth. If 1.0 WAR were always $8 million, a team would have to have a payroll of roughly $320 million to make the playoffs. No one does, of course, because there are a lot of young players producing a lot for very little. On average I think 1 WAR costs about $4.5 million
I started the discussion with a package of Wei-Yin Chen, Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon. Scroll up.
WAR-to-dollars conversion is explained in this 2009 piece at FanGraphs:
fangraphs.com/blogs/win-values-explained-part-six/
Of course that piece does not account for inflation over the last eight years.
Was the Chen contract insured for injury or was Loria too cheap to pay the premiums?
too cheap tp pay premiums? Loria gave him the ridiculous contract in the first place!
If a $90MM payroll seriously is the goal, then some combination of valuable players- Yelich, Ozuna, Realmuto- will have to get packaged with some dead money. I don’t see how they trim $50MM without doing this.
It shouldn’t be that hard since they only need to reduce by $40 million, not $50 million. The Marlins should be able to trade Stanton and Gordon without assuming any 2018 payroll obligation. If they have to pay part of either deal they can work it out that they pay future years. That’d put them around $94 million in payroll. I’m guessing that Jeter would be okay at $94 million but if he’s not he could deal Ziegler or Tazawa. If he can get another team to take half of the obligation on either he’s around $90 million.
This’ll be a fun winter if you’re right, but I’m skeptical of “We’ll trade Stanton, Gordon, and Prado to make payroll” as anything more than a wishlist.
I don’t think it’s likely that Stanton or Gordon can be dealt without MIA assuming any payroll. Both are quality, but flawed players making good deal of money with uncertain future–valuable players, yes, but with little or no surplus over their current contracts. Stanton is great when he is in one piece, but he has had significant injury problems in the past with erratic performance, with added uncertainty from the opt-out (whichever way it goes–sort of lose-lose proposition for the team assuming his contract.) Gordon is valuable as long as he is speedy, but can fall apart badly very quickly if he loses a step or two (e.g. Chone Figgins after a few good years with Angels). Plus, Gordon’s PED use casts a bit of cloud over his future production. If the Marlins want any prospect with value, they’d need to chip in some money. I think it’d at least be very bad PR if they literally gave valuable players away with no return at all, though, even if the face of the ownership is Derek Jeter.
Prado is a very risky asset given his recent injury history and the contract. Marlins cannot give him away for free, unless they take up a decent chunk of his salary or package him with someone who is actually valuable.
Ozuna is in a tricky territory since he is clearly valuable over and beyond his contract, but too expensive to be easily bundled with the above-mentioned players (and to a lesser extent, the same is true with players like Yelich–although they have greater surplus value.). Seems likely that multi team trades involving 3-4 teams are likely, if the Marlins are to successfully shed payroll, and some of the more valuable pieces will probably have to be moved–unless, that is, they can actually give away some of their players and avoid PR backlash.
I think it’s generally accepted Miami will absorb some of the contracts. Miami might be okay with that if they don’t absorb any in 2018. Rather than pay down $3 million a year on Gordon they’d pay $4.5 million in each of the last two years.
Fish don’t need to trade Realmuto right now. He’s just entering his ARB1 status, and he’s a catcher, so they are pretty inexpensive through arbitration. Yes, he’ll bring back a Load of Good Prospects, but he’ll do they same thing next winter (maybe an even better package). He and Yelich are Huge Fan Favoites and very reasonable through 2019. Jeter should keep them around to soften the blow of trading Stanton, Gordon, and possibly Ozuna (also Huge Fan Favorites).
“Giving Prado and Gordon Away” would free up $24 million. Trading Stanton frees up another $25 Million. That’s why they chose those 3 players. Ziegler is $9.0 Million. They should find a new home for him instead of Gordon. They could trade Gordon next winter when he isn’t owed as much money/shorter commitment.
Chen is the next biggest issue, now that he has chosen NOT to opt-out (of course he didn’t…..he’s headed for TJ surgery soon). He’ll make almost as much as Stanton for ’19 & ’20. UGH! They should put him under the knife right now so he’d be healthy for the start of the 2019 Season, and maybe they could move him mid-season. If they wait, they’re just “pissing away money”.
It’s not that hard. They should be able to trade Stanton and Gordon without paying any of their 2018 salary. Gordon is 3 years and $39 million. If a team wants him but at 3 years and $29 million, just pay $5 million in each of the last two years of the deal. Trading the two of them gets you a $95 million payroll.
They should be able to trade one of Prado, Ziegler, or Tazawa at a salary of $5 million to the other team. If the Marlins eat the rest of that player’s contract they’re at $90 million without trading a player they want to keep.
It will be interesting to see “The Return” if the Marlins can trade Stanton and Gordon without adding any cash to the deal (even a back-loaded “if he doesn’t opt-out” payment). They MUST get a few decent players/prospects back (and a few lower prospects) in any deal that they make. The biggest hurdle is getting Stanton to approve the deal. Most Teams want him, if they get him for next to nothing, and don’t assume the entire contract……but the Marlins need to be asking Stanton “where they should focus”.
The Cardinals will be the most aggressive at first, because they have a huge 40-man roster crunch coming by Nov 20th. They MUST move some players, or they’ll simply lose them in the Rule 5 draft.
If he will go there……they’ll be offering a huge package for him. Better to trade them for Stanton than Lose Them For Nothing!
We’ll see but it shouldn’t be that hard. Gordon’s salaries are $10.8 million, $13.3 million, $13.8 million, and a $1 million buyout. If the Marlins offer to pay $4 million in each 2019 and 2020 and pay the buyout they should be able to move Gordon.
Likewise, 2018 is the lowest salaried year for Stanton. He’s at $25 million. The problem is that most teams are like the Marlins,tight this year and more willing to take on salary later. Adding $25 million to the 2018 payroll would put the Cards spending $10 million higher than it has ever been. And if their payroll is already $10 million higher are to go even higher to add other players or at the trade deadline?
People say they can afford that, but it’s not a question of whether they can do it, but if they’re willing.
I don’t know the marlins system very well but do they have any outfield prospects worth giving a spot to? Could they maybe send Ozuna to Pittsburgh where Mcitchen is included in a return? Or a three team trade? Or maybe to Toronto for Pompey and others.
Nothing much there that’s ready to make the jump. Dean was at Double-A, but hasn’t really shined. Not ready yet. That’s why they match up with the Cardinals so well…….they have several MLB ready OF’s…..and they have a 40-man roster crunch that needs to be resolved. they are in a “trade ’em or Lose ’em” pinch. Rule 5 draft is their nemesis right now (Nov 20th deadline, I think)
I see the Dodgers linked to a players so far this offseason, are their fiscal woes over? Just last year they weren’t sure they could sign all of their guys, and definitely weren’t adding payroll, now there’s talk of them getting Stanton or Ozuna? Are there money issues over? Does anyone know?
They never had money issues. Those were just narratives perpetuated by those who didn’t do much research. They were essentially over the debt/spending ratio due to intentional one time expenditures. Management probably want to get under the threshold, but their plan always seemed to have been add short term big money to get the long term big money off.
They do have money issue
Mlb said that have a lot of debt they need to clear before adding more money
That’s where this all came from
Just bc the doyuers spend a lot doesn’t mean they have a lot of debt
That is how I remember it, there was an MLB mandate about their debt reduction
There was an article in the LA Times on that last year and then the Dodgers went out and re-signed Hill, Jansen, and Turner a total of $192 million.
Just a technical issue, nothing that had any real impact.
Won’t be as good deal as the Avs, Predators, and Senators deal. Ethier team would still lose a good piece here.
Are you having a stroke? Do you need someone to call for help?
Definitely a match with the Dodgers. They’ve liked Ozuna for a few years now.
I can see them dangling Alvarez and Joc, now that Joc performed so well in the World Series. They may also throw in Grandal, who would be going home to Miami and giving them a good backup to Realmuto. I think they’ll hold on to Verdugo, unless this trade also includes Giancarlo. If Stanton is involved I can also see Baez and Verdugo as part of this, along with Alvarez, Joc and Grandal.
I can tell ya right now we are not getting Stanton and Ozuna. lol
Ozuna for Verdugo, Stewart, and a mid level prospect
Verdugo, White or Stewart, plus D.J. Peters just might get Stanton to the Dodgers!!
THIS! Although i’d rather get Edwin Rios than Peters but cool with either. But Verdugo and White headline the deal. Thats a must.
If we can get the Marlins to take the Kazmir contract to offset money I can def see a Stanton match plus prospects. I agree that Verdugo, Stewart and a mid-level prospect should get it done.
BUT the Marlins want young pitching and we will not include Bueller, but I would be open in including Alvarez..
I would rather have Yelich than Ozuna but thats just my take. Yelich’s MO suits the Dodgers philosophy, strong defender plus decent power and high OBP.
Our farm is soldi and I am really looking forward to seeing DJ Peters here in the not too distant future. Perhaps we just stand pat with Yasiel, CT3 and platoon with Toles, makes sense til our other studs come up
Decent Power??? Yelich???
I live in So. Fla and I don’t consider him to have decent power. He is an on base machine with some decent speed…….excellent all-around player, but not a Power bat….imho.
He has 39 HR over the past two years. Pretty decent.
That’s true he does
I just don’t consider 20 HR’s a year from an outfielder “decent power”.
From a 2B/SS maybe ……but not an OF.
That’s just me.
One thing that I have to compliment my Dodgers on is the immaculate depth we have even still in the OF. Kike, Joc, Puig, CT3, Toles, even Bellinger, but my point is this, people will also be calling on players like Kike, Grandal and Culberson. They should all be starting for other teams and you could include Toles in that convo.
Dodgers have depth pitching wise as well with Kersh, Hill, Maeda, Ryu, McCarthy, Kazmir, Stewart, Stripling in which some teams should be interested especially with Ryu, McCarthy, Kazmir, Stewart and Stripling
Im especially pleased with our Player Development, drafting and scouting, future looks bright for the forseeable future, bad luch with Urias. Depth will create trade interest and possibliities
Giants should get him, and take on Prado’s contract as well
actually the more likely option is to take on dee gordon and dangle panik which give the fish a low cost replacement @ 2nd and lets them move a contract
With what money? Giants are tapped out on payroll so taking on more payroll makes no sense for them.
it all depends on what they prioritize, they need an outfielder so if they determine that a hit with someone like gordon lets them get someone affordable like ozuna and can find a match somewhere to dump salary on someone like span or pence they could swing it.
Miami wants to trade osuna too lol they aren’t gonna have no one left.
It depends who comes back in all these deals.
They will field a very young team, but if they do it “better than Loria”…..they could have a solid team in a couple years.
Remember…..Everyone thought Jimmie Johnson was CRAZY to trade Herschel Walker….a Superstar Running back. But the end result was a Landslide Victory for the Cowboys.
Sure but u have to admit this is more about saving money then long term success. If they didn’t have the new stadium the team would have probably been moved to Montreal or Portland by now.
It is about reducing the payroll. I live in So. Florida, and have suffered through the Loris Era…..UGH! I am now afraid that Jeter & Company will follow that same path. Hope I’m wrong.
It’s my thought that they are attempting to do what the Cubs and the Astros have already done. The Phillies and Reds are doing it now. If they “do it correctly”, they will become a better team after a few years. Slashing Payroll & stocking the farm is the “plan”. If they actually accomplish that, I’ll be happy. Trading Stanton is a Big Part of that plan….but they MUST get somebody back that the Fans Like. There’s not a ton of them now……there will be far fewer if they just tank, and don’t restock.
I would be more fans at games if they would have built the new stadium further North and Out Of The City. There’s a ton of people that live 1 hr north who would go to games if it wasn’t where it is.
Hopefully the Marlins establish a front office in short order to put the wheels in motion. I’m not sure who exactly is running the show, but they need experienced executives to pull off the salary dump and rebuild. If Jeter tries to do it himself I shudder to think of the results.
With all due respect, the Braves are NOT a good fit. They’re currently trying to create an opening for Acuna, so unless they’re able to trade away both Markakis and Kemp (not just one), there isn’t really a good opening for Ozuna as well.
Agree 100% but it would be nice having Ozuna alongside Inciarte Ana Acura.
The Marlins will trade Stanton. They will not need to trade Ozuna and won’t. Conjecture is nice, but these trade scenarios are premature.
What about the Phillies?
I’d say Phillies are out because he only has two years remaining before free agency. Phillies might go .500 next season, but not really contend for a championship. Wouldn’t make sense to pay the high price for Ozuna, just to lose him right when they’re making their push.
The Phillies are in the unusual situation of having one player who has played for another MLB club and that player, Zac Curtis, will likely be waived. They have one player on the roster with more than 4 years of experience and that player, Freddy Galvis, has 5 years.
Yes, he only has 2 years of team control left but the Phillies have no money on their books.
Ozuna is 27, a great age, for veterans they’ll acquire. They can pay him whatever it’ll take. . The Phillies desperately need established veterans but they aren’t going to fill the roster with 32 year old players like Arrieta.
Marlins literally said Yelich & Ozuna are not on the table this winter. Why would you write an article directly contradicting other articles posted on this very site?
1) The Marlins never said anything so extreme
2) Teams lie constantly
The Marlins lied about trying to trade Stanton to Houston after the evidence was revealed that they did so.
Trade Rumors should do a trade power rankings every offseason also. You do such a great job with the free agent power rankings, you guys would def make it great. It would all obviously be anyone’s best guess, but would be fun.
Dodgers should trade Taylor and Puig for Ozuna and Stanton
I think some of you have been smoking something pretty strong based on what you think Ozuna is worth. In 2017 Ozuna’s slash line was 312/376/548. That is very good but it was in a year when as the saying goes when the tide rises so do all the boats. Homers were flying out at numbers not seen since ‘roids were under control. Ozuna’s 37 HR in many years would have been at or near the MLB high. In 2017 it was 11th high and only 62% of the leader’s total. There were 19 players with over 400 ABs that had a higher SLG. and 25 players with a higher OBP.
Prior to 2017, his career best slash line (not from single season) was 269/321/455.. That is about equal to Brandon Drury’s 2017 slash of 267/317/447 and other than his mother no one thinks he is a star on Arizona.