7:56pm: The Braves have designated outfielder Kyle Garlick for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Ozuna’s re-signing, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic. Formerly a Dodger and Phillie, Garlick joined the Braves as a waiver claim on Jan. 23.
7:27pm: The Braves are re-signing outfielder Marcell Ozuna to a four-year deal, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets. The club has announced the move, and it’s a $65MM guarantee that could reach $80MM if the Braves pick up an option in Year 5, per Robert Murray of Fansided. Hector Gomez reported earlier Friday that Ozuna was close to returning to Atlanta. The buyout in 2025 is worth $1MM, Craig Mish of SportsGrid relays. Ozuna is a client of CAA Sports.
This is an enormous raise for Ozuna, a former Marlin and Cardinal who parlayed a history of above-average production into an $18MM guarantee with the Braves last winter. It ended up as a great move by Atlanta, as Ozuna slashed a monstrous .338/.431/.636 with 18 home runs in 60 games and 267 plate appearances. Along with his stellar bottom-line numbers, Ozuna ranked as an elite hitter by Statcast’s standards.
If there’s any criticism of Ozuna’s 2020, it’s that he didn’t play much defense, only lining up in the outfield 21 times during a year in which the National League featured the universal designated hitter. It remains unclear whether the NL will keep the DH around in 2021, but even if it doesn’t, the Braves will bank on the 30-year-old Ozuna’s offensive abilities remaining intact. The back-to-back-to-back NL East champions clearly needed to either re-sign Ozuna or pick up another big bat to replace him this offseason, and now they have succeeded in retaining one of MLB’s premier hitters.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos isn’t known for signing players to long-term deals, but he made an exception in this case to keep together an offense built around Ozuna, 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr. The Braves made earlier notable free-agent signings when they added starters Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly on shorter pacts. Considering what the Braves have done this offseason, they ought to be a force again in the NL East next season, though the Mets, Nationals, Phillies and Marlins should make it difficult on them to win the division yet again.
The MLB offseason got off to an incredibly slow start, but high-end free agents have come flying off the board in the past few weeks. Ozuna’s re-signing means none of MLBTR’s top 10 free agents from the beginning of the winter are left without jobs. MLBTR ranked Ozuna fourth among available players and predicted he would earn a four-year, $72MM deal.
glad they were able to toy with Rays fans hearts first
I know, hehe
Ouch braves were one of the winners of the offseason. Finally stepped on a landmine late in the offseason.
Agreed ozuna will revert back to pre 2020 form now that he has secured the bag. 20 million per season for a guy that can’t field yikes! Must be that they won’t be resigning freeman and will likely move ozuna over to 1st after next season.
hahahahaha!
@Tatsumaki- His fielding is fine. It’s LF. It’s also ridiculous to think that they’d not be able to extend Freeman with this. Ozuna stays in LF, Freeman at 1B; and you let Smyly or Morton walk if you’re strapped for cash.
Nice math
@outlaw Braves front office has shown apprehension in handing out long term deals unless they are similar to acunas….freeman will be 32 and will likely command a 6/7 year deal for 35 million per year. Pujols will be gone and arte likes to shell out for offense he’s from Orange County better be willing to pay the man!
If it’s an age related issue this deal still has no consequence. I don’t think Freeman squeezes the Braves, anyway. I’d give him 6 for 180m without a second thought, and I think they will.
Angels will likely overpay freeman 7/250
64/4 = $16 million per season
@outlaw: his defense is NOT fine. The fact that he is unfit to even play LF is the point of how terrible he is.
@cosmo2: He, uh, did win a Gold Glove in LF in 2017. Let’s not make him out to be worse than he is.
Tatsumaki….20MM per season? You may want to check your math again.
@Appalachian, further, even if Ozuna’s defense isn’t “fine,” it is highly lucky the universal DH will be with us in 2022 and beyond. AA wanted his bat in 2021, regardless of Oz’s liability in LF.
We shall see…I truly think Seitzer and Castro were able to finally make some adjustments with Ozuna, and it allowed him to barrel up more balls last year.
Not only that, but he was also able to be sandwiched in between Freeman and d’Arnaud, and this allowed Ozuna to have some protection around him, forcing pitchers to pitch to him..
All of his advanced hitting stats pointed to Ozuna vreaking out last season, and with his k minor adjustments he made, he was able to finally put everything together!!
I dont think he will repeat his 2020 success, but I do think Ozuna will continue to mash behind Freeman, and he will be an offensive force helping propel them to another NL East title!!
They will also have Ozuna play LF while he will be lined up in the same outfield as two of the best defensive outfielders, in Pache and Acuña Jr.
The Braves will be able to afford to slide Pache over some, and Pache and RAJ will be able to easily make up for some of Ozuna’s issues with his range..
They cannot help his noodle of an arm, but Swanson is an excellent relay SS, and thatll help as well..
Besides, with the DH either coming next season or after that this will all be a moot point..
As great as Freeman is, I don’t see anyone giving him six years at that age if and when he’s a free agent unless it’s a DHLM type deal with a lower AAV. $30m average for years five and six? More likely, the Braves extend him four years for $100m with a fifth year option or a $5m buyout. Something like that.
Ozuna won a GG thanks to strong hitting. Let’s stop pretending the award means something. It has been reduced and denigrated for years. Ozuna’s defense will only go down as he ages.
@Tatsumaki
When was the last time a 1B received 30+ million on a multi-year deal. ………
Not getting freeman buddy dream on
@Cosmo2- I disagree with you about his defense. Again, it’s LF. Teams have hid weaker defenders out there before. Ozuna in LF doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
Four years, $65 MM. That puts Ozuna at approx $16 MM/yr. Which is a pay cut.
@outlaw: Gold gloves are just awards and very often given out in a wildly incorrect fashion, they prove absolutely nothing. But you have a point. I looked up his stats and he’s better than I thought.
freeman wants to remain a brave for life
Tatsumaki: He DIDN’T sign a $20 million/yr contract. The Braves signed him to a 4 yr/ $64,000,000.00 deal (avg is $16,000,000.00) w either a 5th yr, at the SAME rate, or a 1 million buyout. Math AND reading skills are fundamental. Maybe you’d like to sharpen yours.
@tatsu, that’s not how math works. And as far as your comment about the Angels going after Freeman – do you think they are going to have 3 position players earning over $35mm each?
Never
But the prices keep going up.
Stop pretending playing left field requires defensive skill… That’s the position DH’s play and where backup infielders go to die.
@Prospectnvstr AAV is actually $16.25MM ($65MM guaranteed divided by the four guaranteed years). “Math and reading skills are fundamental”
I remember when Rafael Palmeiro won the GG at 1B after playing at 1B for 5 games…. he was the Orioles DH.
Don’t take much stock in the GG awards.
Just dumb
The GG was even WORSE in the 1980s before anyone was taking defensive metrics into consideration at all. It was virtually a second Silver Slugger often.
Depends on which left field. Theres a few like Pittsburgh where you might want your RF shifting over.
Hes had an injury since then. The injury has impacted his defense.
Also goldgloves are not a measuring stick. Odd I know.
Way to be stupid today
Your profile pic is odd for a baseball forum.
@frontofficeGM, it’s a good thing y’all aren’t actually GMs because you don’t even know what he signed for. It’s 64 million, not 65 million which comes out to exactly 16 million per year and 16 million for the option year. It’s exactly 2 million less than last season. 75% of the people on here have no clue what they are talking about.
TommyHawk George Springer just got 6/$150 million, so who do you think is the better baseball player? Freeman is looking at around 6/$175 million.
The Braves would loose fans if they let freeman go. It’s the equivalent of letting chipper walk.
By your logic any multiyear deal is a “landmine.” You’d rather have Socrates Brito on a one year deal than George Springer for six.
You can’t be serious. Pre-Ozuna the Braves had a colossal hole in the middle of the order while LA, SD and NY got better. That’s “winning” to you?
This is a great, much needed move. Bravo, Braves!
Rays will still make it further in the postseason, somehow.
I honestly dont think they’ll get in
That will of course depend on expanded playoffs or not..
But Yankees and Blue Jays have to be a preseason 1st and 2nd place projection. Red Sox are bound to be better too.
But the Rays took the 2nd best record in MLB and took the Dodgers to 7 games in the WS. They get credit as the team to beat in the AL as the reigning Champs.
And we all know who will make it further down the buffet line- Marty McGravy, the super sensitive extra woke fat guy! Have another burger Marty! Teach us about racism!
If Rays make it further in the postseason, Arozarena will need to keep up his Ruthian 2020 playoff pace (1 HR every 6.9 AB) or 86 HR in 600 AB. Good luck, kid.
He’s projected to hit 30 HR in 532 AB’s in 2021.
532 AB / 90 R / 136 H / 30 HR / 78 RBI / 16 SB / .256 AVG
yessssssss!!! Freeman has his protection and ozuna will be just like Nelson Cruz, ageless wonder! Freeman was prob like, “ill sign my extension when u bring my protection back..” AA must have known it was my bday tomoro.
You’re in for a rude awakening if his babip goes back to normal.
Lol no Rays fan thought we were signing him. No room for him anyway–good player, overpaid (like most), can only play dh. Thanks, no thanks. (I have said all this from day one–sure, he might have been interesting addition, but Rays are too smart too pay as much as all these other teams pay.)
@RayFanTL- yes, the Braves are definitely the new heart throb just ask the New York Mets who will be staring ^ at them in the division all year.
Most Yankee fans I know don’t think about the Mets much at all. No emotion either way. And then there are those few Yankee fans who are as obsessed with the Mets as Mets fans are with the Yankees. I don’t get it. What’s the fascination? What stirs up the animus? Why do they go out of their way to insult each other?
The only Mets fan I have ever known had a head the size of a watermelon. Not that he was in love with himself he just had a really big head, I am pretty sure he was a bobble head come to life.
64M with 5th option year that would make it 80M per Rosenthal
There ya go braves fans! He back!
Made my night!
Made mine, too!
Absolutely
No one cares.
Can’t see this working out long term and their not winning this year so……it’s only money I guess.
Dude, the DH has already said to happen in 2022.
What makes you so certain they aren’t winning this year?
Hard to imagine a world where the dodgers or Padres don’t make it thru to the series.
Not a fan of either but hard to imagine.
Same was said about SD last year.
The Braves are still the best team in the NL East, don’t be fooled by the Mets offseason. They were also a game away from beating the Dodgers in the NLCS despite not having Soroka and before adding Morton. The Braves are very much still in the conversation of best teams in the league
It would be nice but I still think that the Dodgers are the best team in the majors! They have a crazy lineup that is pretty much the same as last year, a great bullpen while also managing to add a couple decent options via free agency, a top rotation of returning studs and also adding a good piece near the top of the rotation via free agency. Not to mention a returning David Price to use as needed. The Dodgers probably also have the most depth in MLB. The Doyers 6/7/8 options for the rotation would be legitimate middle of the rotation arms for the rest of baseball. They also have a top 10 farm system as well so yeah, the Dodgers are a Nightmare!
David price is overrated
Fact
Dodgers are stacked, but they’re spending more than anyone else. Braves maintain some elite clubhouse chemistry and add SP. Not sure how any realistic fan can say they’d welcome seeing the Braves in the playoffs. But then again…it’s the internet.
Not for a fifth starter.
Price will be the #4 starter on the WS Champs.
over-rated or not… he beats most if not all other #4 starters he’ll be matched up with.
Price is done. He was flailing already, then took a year off. I doubt he makes twenty-five starts, and those he makes will not be impressive. But they have plenty of other dudes.
I’m glad Urias isn’t in the rotation. Filthy.
As a 4 or 5, which is where the Dodgers will fit him, Price is not overrated. He’s just fine. I’d take him as a 4 or 5, no question.
How can he be called overrated when everyone knows where he’s at? He’s overpaid, not overrated. In some rotations he would be a 2. In many rotations he would be a 3. And in other rotations, like the Dodgers, he’s a 4 or 5. I sure as heck don’t overrate him and I don’t think many other fans do.
@MoRivera 1999- while Price is over priced, lol he definitely is overrated also. Yes a #4 or #5 during the season. He might get a sniff or 2 in the playoffs out of the bullpen, maybe? Let’s face it his better days are behind him for sure. A team like the Yankees would have him lunch.
We will see, Morton is the only big add, and Soroka has to prove hes healthy for that rotation to be anything near top tier. Smyly had a 5 era in rotation 2 era in bulpen. He hasn’t been much in the rotation in his career, always injured. Braves will face steep competition from the East and with only 2 teams making it from the East it’ll be fun, (Padres or Dodgers in West as a WC).
I believe Padres or Dodgers won’t make it past rd 1. They don’t have a true #1 just a bunch of poor mans 1. Braves, Nats, Mets will be competing for the East and the wildcard and all 3 have a true Ace.
The Braves have Acuna and Pache handling the other 2/3rds of the outfield. I’m pretty sure they’ll survive with Ozuna in the final third.
Acuna can play Left Center, Pache in Right Center and Ozuna can play Rover.
Selfie bombs are back!
Not a bad deal on the surface
About time the Braves actually did something
Didn’t the Braves make two huge moves to start the offseason? Geez louise. How soon we forget.
GA sports fans can only survive on short term memories. Happy 4th anniversary, 3-28!
@Von –
The Braves *were* the off-season for a week or so.
Smyly is a huge move? Low standards
Yes I agree about Morton. But adding Morton and losing Ozuna is just trading one problem for another. Likewise bringing Ozuna back but not adding Morton is basically doing nothing
The Braves needed to actually do something to level up from last year. They needed both of those for that to be true.
This team is a real WS champion threat now.
their biggest need was SP last year. they filled it without crazy overpaying. huge in the sense of the offseason? no. huge given their own team needs? yes.
Feel the Braves need something more still. Like a Bryant or an upgrade at third. Imagine Braves get Jram to their team. Morton has dropped lately (still a great backend of rotation pitcher) and Smyly is a glorified reliever at this point. Soroka health and performance will be huge for Braves one way or another.
I expect the Braves to get Turner. Just a gut feeling.
I think Riley will break out this year with 30 homers if they actually play 154 games and not a laughable 60 again.
I’m just saying that they wait too long of a time to make a move to get players. At least I’m not talking about MadBum
They signed the first free agents the last season offseasons. They replaced Donaldson with (a more productive) Ozuna within hours. Maybe Braves fans need to wear their patience panties.
Not talking about last season. We did sign Helms last year which did nothing for us and Felix as well but nothing went on with that. Offense can only take you so far until the defense shows it’s ugly head. I know the Braves have somewhat of a good defense but they need some arms in the bullpen to sweeten the team up
Patience panties sound uncomfortable.
what 2 huge moves?
Morton wasn’t that good last year.. (2-2 4,74 ERA)
and Smyly? Really? I guess a decent 5th starter… not a huge move though.
Another fan giving to much value to a season that was just barely over 1/3 its normal length, right Donn? And bother looking at peripherals? No chance, right? Are we just lucky you even know how to spell Morton’s name? Morton as a no.4 pitcher or so is a fantastic deal.
you also didnt mention how Morton is money in the postseason.
Do not besmirch Charlie Morton. He will be their best starter this year–write it down. And if they do make the playoffs, nlcs, and/or ws? He’s your guy. Gamer.
Just as I didn’t point out than Anderson’s rookie few starts… while excellent.. doesn’t come near to be Proven either… Sophmore Jinx in effect? Dunno.
I never said he’s not a good pitcher… most likely their #3 – not #4
Yahoo Sports projects him with 12 wins / 3.88 ERA / 170 K in 140 IP
Good deal yes. Fantastic for $15 Mil? Dunno…
Morton is not a #3 or 4 pitcher. He’s a #2 caliber pitcher. Really don’t understand the heat he’s catching in here right now.
I know last year wasn’t great but the last real MLB season that was played he posted a 3.05 era with 240 strikeouts.
We’re considering this a #4 now??? I know he’s declining to some extent as well but it’s seriously crazy anyone considers him less than a #2 caliber starter.
People seriously weighting a season no one cares about a little too much. One that saw Morton also have some minor injuries too. His first start was really bad and TB never really let him pitch deep into games last year limiting his innings.
His numbers are a reflection of circumstances more than declining performance. He looked great in the postseason. He’s not a 3 or 4 pitcher. Still a #2 at worst
I think he was the top choice for a pitcher in this free agency. IMO
Morton is going to be 37 years old and has had 2 season in his entire 12 year career that he could justifiably be considered a number 2 in a rotation.
Dont worry MJ he probably doesn’t watch him pitch
Lord. You act like there’s 100 holes on this team.
Mainly in their pitching. Yeah I know they got some arms now, but they need some more starters to help out the bullpen
Morton and Smyly are apparently nothing
People forget the Charlie Morton deal for some reason. I’m super excited about that move especially since he will be our number 3 or 4 starter!
Braves fans about to start a petition for NL DH.
It’ll be there in 2022.
I don’t want it to happen, but the writing is on the wall. DH is coming to the NL.
i wouldnt be so sure. i have a feeling neither side wants it enough to make a deal to get it. that’s why it hasnt been added in yet – owners think its their ultimate bargaining chip but the PA has much larger concerns.
2022 cba negotiations will be a cluster.
Id say both sides DO want it but both sides also want to use it as a bargaining chip.
Perfect for the Braves with Waters coming up…
I doubt there is baseball in 2022.
not this year! that means we still need another bat!
YES!!!! GOOOOO BRAVES!! NICE WORK AA!!!!!! NOW GO GET ONE MORE BULLPEN PIECE!
Word
What is the purpose?? The DH won’t be in the National League
Will be in 2022 if not this year. 4 year deal, so he can DH for 3 years at least
Sure it will. If not 2021, def 2022. Most likely 2021 as well.
*see 2022
“What is the purpose??” Dumbest comment on the board.
Did you really just ask what the purpose was for adding a guy to the lineup that lead the NL in homers and RBI while protecting the NL MVP? Just stop watching because baseball obviously isn’t your thing.
Few on here stress defense as much as me, but saying you don’t want Ozuna’s bat because of his glove in LF is asinine. The stuff about his poor defense is overblown due to a couple of weird clips that have been shown over and over. He is not the butcher he is made out to be. Of all the defense positions, LF should be the least worrisome. The guy swings an impact bat that reverberates up and down the lineup.
I can tell you’re a genius
Um
Braves fans out here like “cant believe they didnt get their off season wish list done by December, now the team is going to suck”
If you haven’t seen impatience from members of every fanbase than you haven’t been paying attention to the comment sections.
oh your not wrong. just seen a ton from Atlanta lately and its not made any sense given they evidently forgot about Morton and Smyly if they say the team had done “nothing” in the offseason.
“Out here like”? Are you trying to be a rapper?
Why it takes Atlanta forever to sign players is beyond me but glad to see Ozuna back with da Braves!! Will they bring Duvall back? They should!
The only way they bring back Duvall is if they can get some team to take Ender Inciarte.
You don’t know that you just made it up out of the thin blue air.
of course I don’t know that, it’s my opinion… do you not know how comment sections work?
Don’t worry about him he’s a troll banned many times and back on like his sixth incarnation.
Totally Agree southern bills fan, Duvall needs to come back as well to lengthen this lineup while waiting for pache and waters to come into their own. NLDH has to happen NOW so these clubs can make decisions for the future.
I will gladly eat Crow!…a 4 year contract?! I was completely wrong AA won’t deal out more than a 3 year max…
Oh yeah!
Great deal at a reasonable price IMO.
Looks like a bit of a deal compared to the mlbtr projections! Love it! Very happy! Now come through and be big time for us! Don’t give liberty media any excuses not to spend money like this every again!
I know right….Braves been in scared transactions purgatory since the Mark Teixeira trade
They shouldn’t be after the Acuña and Albies extensions. Things are looking great for them.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
auburn sucks
I think the Braves are winning the best division in baseball the NL East
When is Soroka due back?
It will be great race. The Nats are back to being good again too.
Hoping my Phillies can sign Paxton or Odorizzi and maybe Rosenthal
Soroka will be ready the first few weeks of the season I’ve heard
if Soroka is back to form early its their divison to lose, though otherwise I think the Mets have pushed ahead.
Hello, muttslolz, I’m gonna take a flying leap and guess you used to be lolzmets or whatever it was, you finally got kicked off here for trolling and so you created a new account? Am I wrong or psychic or are you just that obvious and predictable?
There’s nothing garbage about the Mets roster. That team is stacked
bauertothemuttslolz is a banned troll back in his latest incarnation, back to harass DarkSide830.
Good signing.If he hits like he did last yr,this contract could be a steal if the fans return to the stadiums.
He doesn’t even have to hit like he did last yr. If he can hit .275 and still put up those power and RBI numbers and also still be clutch, it’s a steal of a deal.
It’s all about the OBP which was way over .400 last year. He’s not doing that again but yea, even a .50 point drop and he’s still a masher.
Made my night
It’s bout time
Now Greene & Melancon
Run it back
at least 1 of them
As long as you don’t give Melancon 21M a year
This makes them clear favorites for the WC
World Champs? Yeah sounds about right.
@MetsFan. You mean WS!! Maybe not clear but I agree. Needed this signing. I was a total believer in Ozuna but we needed a bag behind Freddie. Doubt he has a year like last but he does make our lineup much better. We will win the NO East and play Padres in NLCS. Let’s go
How does this make them clear favorites for the WS??
Dodgers get Bauer, Knebel and Kahnle… Padres get Snell, Darvish, Musgrove… and Kim..
They were #1 and #2 and both got better…
Braves just re-signed someone they already had.. good signing though for 16 mil. a year.
He meant Wild Card. just trying to pump up NYM’s image.
@Donn. It was a joke reply to the Mets fan above mine that said we are a clear wild card favorite.
Braves were #2 last year actually…
Someone is project his Bauer anger on to the actual best team in the division. The Mets gonna Met.
So you think the Nats are winning the division, Mets? Oh, wait, you don’t mean the Mets, do you? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Mutts fan always makes his dumb comment and then goes to hide. Or maybe he just got a pic from the former GM!
Braves were forces into this by their division rivals. But 1-5 in the Braves lineup tops every team in that division. My opinion is they may well have the best 1 thru 5 in the majors. *I’m not a Braves fan.
ATL – Acuna Jr / Albies / Freeman / Ozuna / d’Arnaud
NYM – Nimmo / McNeil / Lindor / Alonso / Conforto /
PHI – McCutchen / Realmuto / Harper / Hoskins / Gregorius
WAS – Turner / Castro / Soto / Schwarber / Bell
d’Arnaud isn’t the best 5th place hitter in the NL EAST and their #6 – 8
Riley, Swanson and Pache isn’t scaring anyone.
LAD – Betts / Seager / Muncy / Bellinger / Pollock (Turner in top 5 if re-signed)
SD – Tatis Jr / Pham / Hosmer / Machado / Grisham or Myers
NYY – LeMahieu / Judge / Torres / Stanton / Voit
BOS – Benintendi / Bogaerts / Devers / Martinez / Velasquez
TOR – Semien / Biggio / Bichette / Guerrero Jr / Hernandez / Gurriel Jr
CWS – Anderson / Moncada / Abreu / Jimenez / Grandal
HOU – Biggio / Brantley / Bregman / Correa / Gurriel
MIN – Arraez / Donaldson / Kepler / Cruz / Sano
Just saying….. 🙂
You forgot Springer in the Jays lineup and put Biggio in the Astros lineup.
Yep I did… I meant Altuve, was thinking Craig Biggio I think! Forgive me, I’m old.
And forgot about Springer in TOR. They will be beasts hitting…
You could have just edited your comment and not looked dumb.
I didn’t say they were the best hitters in each spot. Best combined 1-5. I’m too lazy to check, But this same 1 thru 5 played in ATL last season. How did they stack up then?
Pollock would not be #5 for the Dodgers. Good player but Smith would bat there, depending on who the 3B is.
True… Mostly depends on the L/R matchups.
and if Turner isn’t re-signed, they have the kid at 3B that hits massive HRs.
Rios – projected to hit 23 HR w/ 73 RBI in just 353 ABs
Yep. Also, maybe Friedman isn’t done.
gosh help us if Cutch is batting leadoff again…
Agreed Dark.. would rather see Segura bat leadoff?
“gosh help us” isn’t a thing. Is english your second language?
OPS added…just sayin
ATL – Acuna Jr .987 / Albies .773 / Freeman 1.102 / Ozuna 1.067 / d’Arnaud .919 or Swanson .806
NYM – Nimmo .888 / McNeil .836 / Lindor .750 / Alonso .817 / Conforto .927 /
PHI – McCutchen .757 / Realmuto .840/ Harper .962 / Hoskins .887 / Gregorius .827
WAS – Turner .982 / Castro .752 / Soto 1.185 / Schwarber .701 / Bell .669
LAD – Betts .927 / Seager .943 / Muncy .720 / Bellinger .789 / Pollock .881(Turner .860 in top 5 if re-signed)
SD – Tatis Jr .937 / Pham .624 / Hosmer .851 / Machado .950 / Grisham .808 or Myers .959
NYY – LeMahieu 1.011 / Judge .891 / Torres .724/ Stanton .887 / Voit .948
BOS – Benintendi .442 / Bogaerts .867 / Devers .793 / Martinez .680 / Velasquez .801
TOR – Springer .899 / Biggio .807 / Bichette .840 / Guerrero Jr .791 / Hernandez .919 / Gurriel Jr .882 / Semien .679
CWS – Anderson .886 / Moncada .705 / Abreu .987 / Jimenez .891 / Grandal .773
HOU – [Altuve .629]/ Brantley .840 / Bregman .801 / Correa .709 / Gurriel .658
MIN – Arraez .765 / Donaldson .842 / Kepler .760 / Cruz .992 / Sano .757
Just saying….. 🙂
One correction to the order: In 2020 Braves went with Acuna, Freeman, Ozuna, d’Arnaud, and Albies. According to 2020 OPS, Braves top four spots are clear leaders.
This means close to zero.
Can’t go off one year.
And not accounting for platoon splits. (Thats certainly coming into play with the Nats)
Dansby Swanson had an OPS of .809 and hit a homer every 6 games.
hopefully Bohm is somewhere in top 5 in Phils lineup but thanks for reminding me that once again this year the Phils will be paying Cutch more than the Braves are paying Ozuna.
You forgot Verdugo for Boston too. He’s either batting lead off or in the #2 hole.
What are you trying to prove by listing out lineups…
he wasn’t going anywhere else hope that 2020 ain’t a fluke he might just be st louis Ozuna . good for the braves and there fans this will help the young core come together . they should have beaten the dodgers last year but they choked nevermind in my opinion they ain’t far away from the dodgers and there 60 billion clubhouse good luck braves
Look at the Braves starting rotation at the beginning of the season then at the end. There is the answer to your riddle, not the offense…
when did I mention there offense . I said there young core which includes there young pitches
“they should have beaten the Dodgers last year but they choked”, yeah, we had no pitching. Offense was fine, we had no pitching. Your condescension is clear and your mind is narrow. Be better in future comments.
@violentdreams11
It would be very much advisable for you to take some English lessons before you start with the pathetic insults.
They came within a win of the World Series despite losing their best pitcher for the season. It was a successful season; they just fell a little short of the ultimate goal.
They were picked to be the 4th place team in their division. Anybody could’ve amassed the amount of wins the Dodgers did playing half of all their games against AZ, SF, and CO.
Go suck an egg in future comments.
I take this as a sign that we could be seeing the DH in the NL again this year or at least in 2022. We definitely don’t need to see pitchers attempt to hit again
i would love to see them hit actually
Me too
I get it that pitchers hitting has been a staple of the NL but it doesn’t benefit the game in any way. Why have half of MLB have their pitchers hit when no other league above the high school level does? The DH also allows good hitters who are bad defensively continue to play regularly. I’m sorry but the arguments against the universal DH are weak
I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder. There’s no good reason why pitchers couldn’t spend time in the batting cage. Catchers on average have bad offensive numbers. Some would say catchers have a more strenuous job both physically and mentally. Would you advocate for a 2nd DH to make the game even more appealing?
No because catchers are position players so that is a different situation entirely. Also if you look at the pitchers who are considered “good” hitters, their numbers are well below replacement level. Pitchers one and only job should be to take the mound and pitch
How is it different? Maybe a great defensive center fielder can’t hit .200. He’s a starter for one reason. To save runs. Why not DH for him? Maybe a slow 3rd baseman? Substitute a pinch runner when he gets a hit, but let the 3rd baseman continue to play?
You’re still missing the part where these bad hitters at positions like catcher and CF are still far superior hitters than 99.9% of pitchers in the league. Plenty of teams will roster a bad hitter at those positions if their defense is strong enough but have you ever heard of a team keeping a bad pitcher just because he can hit? Also teams are not forced to use a DH, they just do because it would be foolish not to. How many NL teams willingly decided to not use the DH last season?
MLB pitchers in 2019 batted a cumulative .119. There is no good reason for them to bat. And there is no added strategy in allowing them to bat. Just the opposite: more strategy can be employed when the guy with the bat knows how to use it. In my opinion, the worst play in the game is a pitcher bunting with a runner on first when there is already one out. A close second is walking the #8 hitter to face the .120-hitting pitcher.
Many of these pitchers got drafted because they could hit. What happened? I won’t argue about the situational stuff and strategy, although I disagree. Pitchers could hit better if they didn’t have any other option. Spend time with the hitting coach just like every other position player does.
You’re commenting too often.
You have 15 teams to watch if you enjoy the DH. Every major poll from Gallup to Ipsos has found that the DH is less popular than pitchers hitting. Leave it the way it is or make the AL drop it if you insist on uniformity. The pro DH crowd is becoming like the Republican party, trying to force their will on the game despite being in the minority.
Its been a staple of the MLB. The AL chose to introduce it relatively recently. The AL version is a decidedly less interesting version of the game and every poll taken on the subject has found the the majority of fans prefer no DH.
There’s always that one clown who has to bring politics into a situation for no reason. Today it’s you bozo
you think the pro DH crowd is still in the minority? doesnt seem like it- ive always been anti-DH not because of pitchers hitting but because of strategy dealing with the 9 spot. but at this point pitchers are barely hitting in the minor leagues so its become mostly a joke- so im assuming DH across the board as inevitable, just a matter of when.
Many of us still don’t want the DH. I hate the DH rule. I’m hoping it doesn’t get thrown into the next CBA.
Revolver Fake news.
Frankly seeing a pitcher hit .125 isn’t doing it for me… and do they really need to do anything more to risk an injury, they are fragile enough.
Like I said, what keeps them out of the batting cage?
not every pitcher is that bad of a hitter. I know it sounds crazy, but I just dont see how adding a 9th best bat into the lineup really makes the viewing experience any better. there already arent 15 unplayable players in the AL to give each club a productive everyday player. David Ortiz and Edgar Martinez may be what people think of when they think of the DH position, but the reality is they are really historical anomalies rather then common. watering down the true DH market with 15 more positions probably means at least 10 of them just cycle guys through that position. i dont know why catering to players who cant play the field is so high up on everyone’s priorities.
If a DH makes the game so much better, why not just be like the NFL and just have offensive specialists and defensive specialists? Exciting stuff.
When people talk about pitchers who can hit the names you usually hear are Bumgarner and Greinke. Both of those guys have terrible career offensive numbers. That 9th best hitter in a lineup is still a much better option than a guy who is totally incompetent with a bat. Take this for example, say a team has the bases loaded with two outs in the second inning but they allow the pitcher to hit because it’s early in the game and they don’t want to pull him, the pitcher strikes out in embarrassing fashion, the team later loses the game by one run. Wouldn’t it have been better to have a competent hitter in that situation who could have had a chance at driving a run or two in?
Don’t get me wrong. I understand your point. But honestly, I want to see the pitcher hit in that situation. Imagine if that pitcher had spent 4 or 5 hrs in the prior week taking swings in the batting cage. Odds are he won’t strike out in embarrassing fashion.
A pitcher spending a few hours a week in the batting cage isn’t going to make as big of a difference as you think. Pitchers don’t hit in college or the minor leagues so by the time they reach the big leagues they will have gone several years without hitting. Expecting a guy to jump from facing high school pitchers to the best the game has to offer, especially after several years away from hitting is just not reasonable
Pitchers have batted since the game of baseball was invented(as far as I know).There’s been several rule changes, and I’ve hated almost all of them. I can tell you that personally I prefer having the pitcher bat. I am a traditionalist, and I admit I don’t like MLB as much as I have liked it in the past. I respect your opinions and the debate.
Fair enough, I understand that there’s a large crowd who hate the DH and probably always will. I think over time though more people will come around to the idea of the universal DH
@kiddhoff I strongly agree with you but the game is getting too long but its not the game , We need to remove the commercials. And Im old but I think the younger gen have lost there patience. They want a game to only last an hour so they can get back to playing on there phones. Pitchers can hit (Babe Ruth). All these people need to watch Field of dreams again and listen to James Earl Jones speech in that movie, Thanks for listening
Kiddhoff, if pitchers want to bat, why not learn how to play a defensive position? Or, in the AL they could DH if they are such good hitters.
I’ll do my part and snag a jersey. Good signing by the Braves.
Plan ahead and snag a Bryce Ball jersey. He’s a bad, bad man.
Atlanta’s got a real good team. Definitely should reach the NLCS at the very least
May want to tell the Mets and Nats top 4 starters that.
Braves still with the 3rd best Rotation in the NL East…
The Mets have questions in their rotation. Stroman is hugely overrated, and Thor has health questions.
The Mets have the best starter in DeGrom, but it’s no sure thing after him
Some of these people have already forgotten how good Mike Soroka is.
one notes that NYM and WSH’s rotations have the same durability concerns that Atlanta’s have, probably more. of each club’s top 3 starters Mad Max is the only real sure bet to stay healthy. (and even that’s in question) perhaps DeGrom is far enough removed from his injuries to be a good bet, but im not even 100% on him. chances are whoever does the best of those three is the team with the most durable SP group.
Dumbest comment I’ve seen
Signings are picking up, but there are still a lot of decent players left on the market.
There is not one player left that makes a major difference. Maybe improves a team, but major difference like Ozuna or Bauer no.
Even if there is no DH this year there will be in 2022 starting the new CBA. Good signing by Atlanta.
You can make an argument that 7 of the top 10 teams in baseball are in the National League including the top 3 LA, Atlanta and San Diego ( I hate saying that as a Yankee fan).
For anyone who cares the only free agent predictions I’ve gotten right are resignings
No one cares.
What a present for Hammerin’ Hank. Happy birthday, Hank!
Yeah they seriously needed him back. Need that bat.
$65 million over 4 years is $16.25 million per year AAV, which actually isn’t a huge raise over the $18 million he was contracted for last season…
It’s a huge raise in the sense that it’s more than he’s made over his career and that 4 yrs are guaranteed, injury or not.
Yeah, “enormous raise” probably wasn’t the correct phase when you consider his AAV is actually less that what he earned in 2020. I guess technically it’s correct since 2020 was prorated but by that measure almost every player will earn an enormous raise in 2021.
Enormous financial security or something like that seems more appropriate.
Why did that bug me? Lol
It bugged me, too! Lol
A $65 million contract is a massive raise over an $18 million contract, regardless of AAV.
yes
Happy to see braves bringing back Ozuna. Just don’t like the 4yrs. Ball should be ready late in 2022 if not certainly should be ready 2023 and he’s braves future dh.
If they have too many OFs and/or DHs, they can always trade one of them to address other needs. Ozuna’s contract doesn’t sound excessive and only covers him thru his age-33 season. It shouldn’t be hard to move, if they want to.
Fair price for the line-up protection which facilitated Freeman’s best season.
A necessary hedge against NL adoption of the DH. I’ll be disappointed in MLB if the universal DH is implemented, but as a Braves fan this signing will certainly soften the blow.
If there’s no DH in 2021 we’ll just position Pache way over towards left, and hope Ozuna won’t climb the fence into another time zone from the baseball.
Oh HELLLLLLL YESSZSSSSSS!!
This softens the blow of knowing we can’t bring back Foltynewitcz who just signed with Texas.
Ozuna is younger than Springer. Huh.
Nice, Ozuna signing with the Braves solidifies another portion of the lineup for years if it goes okay (gotta give the baseball deities their dues).
I think the reports of Ozuna’s defensive failings have been grossly exaggerated. Not saying he is a great outfielder (though he did win a Gold Glove in 2017), but that one clip of him climbing the wall only to have the ball land 10 yards in the outfield grass has cemented in many people’s minds that he is a buffoon out there, when he’s not that bad overall.
The Braves needed a bat and they needed an outfielder. Ozuna helps on both fronts.
Oddvark, I agree, though he has tried to climb the wall twice. Serviceable enough LF and the bat more than makes up for any shortcomings. Love the signing. What I want now is for Topps to issue an Ozuna card with a piece of game-scaled wall.
His numbers in very limited innings last year were beyond bad. His career numbers aren’t horrible but I don’t think he has been able to throw a ball since 2017.
Go get Turner too!
Forget Turner go get Bryant or Ramirez from Cleveland
Turner will probably cost less and be more productive
Probably.
Turner will probably cost less and be more productive
Probably.
I would want to see Suarez over those guys just IMO
Nice signing by the Braves. Great for the game. As a Dodger fan, the Braves are the team that worries me the most. A really good rotation and anything can happen in a short series. Mike Soroka is one of my favorite players to watch and I hope he is 100%. I also think we haven’t seen anywhere near the best of what we’ll see from Ozzie Albies. If I could have any 2B, I would take him first. That mlb.com ranking was way off, in my opinion.
Solid ballclub with some fun players to watch. When the Dodgers aren’t on, I will be checking them out quite a bit.
I think the NL DH is probably here to stay (at least by the time the next CBA is finished). But, I’m imagining Ozuna in the field 4 years from now and it’s not great. Anybody remember when Todd Hundley played LF? It’s that.
If there’s no DH in the next CBA, then the Braves can still trade Ozuna. He’d be a great trade chip at only $16M per.
Tough day for the Mets. At least they beat J.D. Davis in arbitration.
@Cey Hey
You’re a good fan! I enjoy your posts (and also the profile picture lol.) I don’t know why but I enjoy it when fans show respect for other teams but obviously your Dodgers scare the hell out of me (and if anyone else says the Dodgers don’t scare them they are liars.) I wouldn’t say it’s that bad of a day for this metropolitans though, they have had an incredible off-season, and it should be a good battle in the NL east. I obviously hope to see a Braves and Dodgers NLCS rematch though! Play ball!!
Mttwotone, Thanks for the kind words. Since baseball is the only sport I still follow, I enjoy checking in on all the teams. MLB.TV is and sites like this are a blessing to someone like me.
Generally, I think that teams who need to make a number of splashy moves in one off-season aren’t quite there yet. That’s why I’ve looked at the Braves as the NL East favorites all winter long. The Mets are narrowing the gap in the East just like the Padres are in the West, but neither is all the way there yet. Granted, a lot can happen over 162 games. We fans need to be patient over the winter. The Dodgers and Braves are obviously committed to winning. Their goal is to get better. Fans panic when they don’t see big moves right away, but patience can be a virtue. Look at the Dodgers these last two Februarys. I see crazy fan trade proposals out of desperation that are hilarious.
What we don’t see is that these GMs are talking all the time and will make moves when they believe the time is right. The Braves struck early this winter, then waited a while before striking again. The Dodgers mainly just waited. Given that both teams still have tinkering to do, it wouldn’t surprise me if both did something significant in the next week or so. It’s fun to watch. But as Braves and Dodgers fans, I don’t think we should lose sleep over it. Our two front offices have track records for making solid moves. And you can bet both are keeping track of what the other is doing. This is way beyond just winning a division title. A rivalry is brewing.
I doubt either the MLBPA or the owners give two hoots about the DH. The players got their extra roster spot already; the owners (GMs et al) have neutered the job by using it as a “day-off” mechanism. Really, nobody cares.
That said, AA is generally ahead of the curve on most things, and probably anticipates the DH by 2022, if not sooner. I doubt he wants to look at Ozuna in LF 3 years from now; that’s ugly enough now.. And I doubt Freddie’s going anywhere.
I doubt there is baseball or an agreement on a CBA in 2022.
I disagree for two reasons, 2020 and 2021.
yeah the owners tend to overpay their hand with using the DH as a negotiating tool. reality is both sides probably would prefer it but neither care enough to make it a concession.
YESSSSSS !! Normally I’m not that big on the clubhouse atmosphere since many great teams didn’t get along but this one seems to thrive on it. I swear part of the reason Ozuna did so well in 2020 was because he had a home. Those guys go along so well I’m glad that he is back just for that reason. Good job AA for the signing. $16 mil per isn’t bad. ABOUT TIME !!
It would be such a baller move if MLB announced in the next half hour that they’re canceling the NL DH.
They can’t announce canceling the DH when they never announced having one in the first place
“Durr well actually”
Braves are still NLE favorites. Mets will be a WC.
i feel like braves did right thing..he helped make the braves a fun bunch..rooting for him to age like nelson cruz or edwin encarnacion..and braves doing good job being mindful to not give anyone way more per year than acuna’s contract will max out at..long live stir it up in the atl..this feels similar to braves bringing fred mcgriff back after 1995..
I think as soon the Mets lost Bauer, they pulled the trigger on Ozuna, good move!
Good move for the Braves. They lost draft picks signing Donaldson in 2019 and Ozuna in ’20 but at least now they will have Ozuna for the nexy four years. Let Ozuna play LF, Pache play CF, and Acuna play RF and let Inciarte come in late in games as a defensive replacement for Marcell
ATL didn’t lose a draft pick for Donaldson, that was part of his appeal. He had been traded the season before (TOR-CLE) making him ineligible. They did for signing Ozuna, Will Smith the next offseason.
Good deal for the Braves.
I’m sure multiple people have pointed this out in the thread, but reducing a player’s AAV by $1.5M or so does not represent a “huge raise.” Imagine your boss coming into your office and telling you you’re getting a huge raise that will amount to less money next year.
It’s a very nice contract in guaranteed money. It’s not a raise.
It’s genius. $12 million this year to watch him play left field badly and take and then $53 million the next three years to just rake.
I’m still not sure they won’t implement the Universal DH before Opening Day.
For all the runs he drives in …. He Gives up Double if he plays the Field if there’s No DH
Not sure how I feel.
They still need to improve third base and they are still unwilling to trade their prospects to win.
@BumgarnerequalsNLCS
@BravesAbsentGagReflex
@Acunaisoverrated
Why are they going to trade their prospects away, and for whom?
i think it would be a good use of assets like SD is using, though I dont like the options left and dont know if 3B is as big a need as is stated. to me though unless they are sure the DH is here to stay there may be a clutter in the OF. Sure you can keep Waters and Pache down but its squandering assets.
The Braves could still improve at 3rd base by signing Turner or trading for Kris Bryant. Either of those would improve their lineup, but I believe in Riley, too. But, depending on the price (maybe $12 million on year for Turner; or Newcomb, Touki, and Ender for Bryant), I would prefer one of those 2 veterans over Riley for 2021. Both Bryant and Turner on 1 year contracts would be highly motivated to gave a big year…
Stop with the Newcomb & Touki trade talk they hold no value whatsoever
If Bryant was to come to Atlanta try starting with Kyle Wright & Bryse Wilson throw in a Langerlies instead of one of them
Why would the Cubs want 2 failed starters who are average at best in the bullpen ?
cubs won’t get any one of those three for bryant. He is making north of 20 mil in 21 and coming off an ops of .644. Cubs won’t get anyone in the top 100. They may get a couple of decent prospects, but not anyone near the caliber of Wright, Wilson or Langeliers.
I’m still hoping they can package some prospects and get MadBum in a deal. Maybe develop him as a two-way player- then it’s NLCS all the way!!!
Even if there is no DH in the NL in 2021, it’s almost assured to be part of the new CBA for 2022. So the Braves put up with one year of sub-par defense.
Braves also already have several elite defensive outfielders and another top outfield prospect on the cusp of the major leagues.
Now ‘fix’ the bullpen, lost O’Day, Melancon and Greene unsigned, no closer. If the Braves want to advance 1 step more that bullpen needs to be solidified. Riley’s position/production is also a question mark, but hopefully he might turn the corner.
I agree they could use minimum 1 more move in the pen, but vintage Will Smith or Chris Martin could close. Minter, Jacob Webb, Matzek took big steps forward. Add in wild cards like Arano, Edwards Jr and starter depth: Bryse Wilson, Kyle Wright. I hope they bring back Greene or add Rosenthal and they could better than last year, in which the pen threw more IP than any other team.
Ynoa, Muller also important depth. I’d consider resigning Melancon if the price is right.
I’m more partial to Greene, but he may be more expensive. I’d love to see what Rosenthal could do, esp being 5 years younger than Melancon.
A healthy Ozzie and if Riley can improve strikeout to walk rate the offense can improve..
Can Morton teach Wright how to put it together
Can Smyly teach Newcomb how to put it together
And Soroka’s comes back healthy in the summer
This team can be a force.
Has Smyly learned how to put it together yet?
That’s definitely the question but he did have surgery, had a hard time coming back from it, but demonstrated that he could be at his career best since his last 12 starts have been fantastic. His stuff is great and his arm appears to be sound. I doubt the Braves would make a deal like this unless they knew what they were getting. They don’t usually make risky deals.
Cole Hamels is holding on line 1.
Im confident that the Mets arent done making moves so we will see!!
Your confidence is shaky. The Mets aren’t done, no team is done, you’re always looking to improve your team. Some of you just kill me.
Just a tough day in almost every way possible for Mets fans. The day began with dreams of Trevor Bauer and winning the World Series. Bauer heads to the Dodgers and then the Mets day ends with the Braves adding back Marcel Ozuna. Now the Mets are hoping for a Wild Card. Are the Mets better than the Nationals??? If Strasburg is healthy I gotta go with the Nats. Wow. If the Mets don’t make the playoffs??????????
Overall I like the Mets lineup more than the Nationals lineup. The Nationals have 2 great hitters with Turner and Soto but are relying on guys like Bell, Castro, Kieboom and Robles to provide the rest of the offense. I can see them win 100 games if it works out, but I can just as easily see them hovering around 81 because of a lack of hitting and another key pitching injury. Al East is gonna be tough this year.
Good signing for the braves. $16.25MM per year for a 1.000+ OPS hitter.
He’s been a 1.000 OPS hitter exactly once. In 2020, through 60 games, with a babip of 391. Don’t count on that to continue.
Thats why they signed him for 16 kinda like Bauer who will probably be pitching a 4.00 ERA before you know it.
For all of those fans who thought the Braves should have given Ozuna 20 or even 25 million a year, thankfully AA has a sense of reality.
I’m not a fan of Ozuna’s defense, but this is a fair contract at a fair price. Once again AA’s patience wins out.
I thought it was going to take $20 million per year. I definitely wouldn’t pay $25 million per year.
He was definitely was an odd LF his time in STL. Looked nothing like a gold glove caliber fielder. I Will say what most are forgetting is that his arm might not be fully healed and the issue with his throwing maybe put the Braves in a position to dh him more often.
Im DEFINITELY looking forward to watching 162 games with a cold one!!!
Braves had inciarte, acuna, markakis three solid defenders in the outfield and Duvall who is a very good outfielder also.
Man…I don’t know what is in the water in Atlanta that makes all their guys sign new deals for under market value. Acuna and Albies both signed EXTREMELY team friend deals. Ozuna made 18 million last year and is now going to make 16 million AAV AFTER an MVP caliber season. Let that sink in for a second. And a lot of their higher AAV deals are just one year deals. They are setting themselves up nicely long term. Pay attention Mets fans.
Pandemic year pal, normally you wait, and you lose the player. Try that next year and all years after, you’ll get the left overs. Hahaha
Acuna from Venezuela and Albies from Curaçao are different than kids from the states. They have a lot of ppl to take care of so the generational money means a lot more a lot sooner for them. You see a lot of Latin players accept below market extensions because they want the money as fast as possible.
Marcell Ozuna probably prioritized getting guaranteed money not knowing what the new CBA will bring. I think it came down to a 1 year pillow deal from Tampa or the guaranteed money from Atlanta & he took the guaranteed money
if nobody offered Ozuna more he signed for market value.
Inciarte comes off the books after this year. That frees up an extra $8 million to help re-sign Freeman. The Ozuna signing will not affect that.
Is a Freddie Freeman extension announcement just around the corner now that Ozuna is signed to a reasonable value contract? Maybe also a deal for more bullpen depth? Maybe Rosenthal, or re-signing Malancon or Shane Greene?
With Pujols set to retire & contract running out a Freeman extension is imperative
If he gets to taste the market he could be as good as gone. An Orange County boy goin home to play with Trout.
AA better not play any games Freeman took an extension and out performed it. They better pay that man no excuses he deserves it.
Ozuna won’t sign with a national league team because he’s a DH.
LOL, love these MLBTR baseball gurus.
These are the same guys who nailed Schwarber moving to the AL. Oh wait….
And Castellanos to the AL because he is “unplayable” in the field.
It was said there’s a good chance he will go to the American League to play as a DH but it was acknowledged that the Braves were the front runners for his services DH or no DH.
No more garlick huh? The clubhouse food loses on this one!
@Moneyballer- my thoughts exactly. But even too much garlick even though healthy may not be good for your team. lol starting to think the NL will have that dh now? What do the Braves know that we don’t?
It was a cut in pay on an annual basis for Ozuna. Although he made just a prorated portion of it, his contract was for $18.9 million in 2020 and will make $16 million AAV plus a $1 million buyout on the 5th season.
so yes, not an “enormous raise” as stated in the article.
I have an answer to everybody’s problem or issue Its a 5 step program
1. FIND A TV
2.FIND A CHAIR
3.FIND A SUPPLY OF BEER
4. WATCH 162 GAMES
5. SEE WHO WINS!
Hmmm…I see a glaring hole in this plan. Forgot step 3.5, make sure you know where the bathroom is.
This was a must for the Braves. Not a Braves fan but they would’ve missed his bat if he left. I was actually hoping my Dodgers got him if they didn’t bring back Turner but I think this was but for the Braves. Glad they were able to keep him. Hopefully we can bring back JT, I know he’s getting older, a little more unity prone and his defense slipped a little but having that DH helps a lot plus in the playoffs his defense was back to its stellar self and the guys clutch. Since we missed out on Ozuna l think they gotta get JT back. Good for the Braves though keeping this guy, I know he doesn’t play much defense but you gotta love the offense he brings.
Red sox won with Manny Ramirez playing left so You can hide a subpar defender in left if his bat is elite. Will his bat be elite next season who knows. Would I rather solid defense over offense? Absolutely.
Offense over defense, always.
If there’s no NL DH this year, Dansby Swanson’s relay throws will become a much tested weapon in the Braves’ defensive arsenal.
I love this re-signing for Atlanta. Sometimes laying back in the weeds benefits you. Starting to think garlick is overrated anyway? Mets strike out on 3 pitches with not getting Bauer, and the Braves go swinging for the fences. Nice counterpunch.
Yank4life
Two good points- a good signing for Atlanta. I don’t luv it, but do acknowledge that it was very very necessary to put a good bat back in the order not just to make the team better but because they are in a competitive window they have to move more chips into the middle of the table. Freddie only has so many good seasons left. I’d suggest that they even take another step and get one more key asset probably a good RP.
Garlick left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth… :/.
Glad Braves resigned him, but I’m not comfortable with 4 years.
He is a HUGE plus to the lineup, and it seemed in the clubhouse as well, he was a fun guy to have in there.
But, he could always be moved later and the 5th year buyout in only 1 mil, so it shouldn’t be a huge negative.
I just would rather 1 or 2 years, but they Braves had to make a move after the Dodgers just got better.
Like is he worth this instead of Eddie Rosario who signed 1 yr. 8 mil?
ATL knows what they have in Ozuna and how he affects the clubhouse/lineup. Rosario has a high floor and much lower ceiling than Ozuna, who fits this lineup perfectly, whereas Rosario wouldn’t. And Rosario you still have defensive concerns that you’d have with Ozuna, which will hopefully we eased with NL getting DH in ’22.
I’m not a fan of the DH, but I’ll adjust. Honestly, I’d rather see inter-league play abolished. It lessens the drama of the WS a little bit, and it also creates unequal strength of schedules. If they expand to 32 teams, they should do away with it.
Totally agree on inter-league. Go to 32 and have 2 x 8 team divisions in each league.
This give the braves a nice lineup, especially against the tough pitching in the west with SD & LA.
As a Rays fan all I can say is a quote from The Big Lebowski………
“Vee belief in nossing”