This is the obvious choice for the Braves to make and it’s also the right choice.
In what appears to be one of the easier decisions for the offseason as far as the Atlanta Braves are concerned, they have apparently made their choice on one their biggest club contract option of the offseason. It’s been widely expected that the Braves were going to choose to keep Marcell Ozuna around for at least one more season by utilizing the club option on his contract and it appears as if they’re going to do just that. Jon Heyman is reporting that the Braves are going to pick up Ozuna’s option and it’s looking like it’ll happen as soon as today.
Braves planning to pick Marcell Ozuna $16M option today
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 4, 2024
As far as both parties go, this is a no-brainer. Despite starting off the contract by being nearly unplayable at the plate and getting into some indefensible trouble off the field, Ozuna has delivered an incredible turnaround in the final two seasons of the original deal. He’s hit 79 home runs over the past two seasons and this season in particular he was unquestionably the team MVP on offense, as his .395 wOBA and 154 wRC+ for the year were far and away the best marks for any regular for the Braves. Plus with the Jorge Soler trade freeing up some money, the writing on the wall that this would be happening soon.
Either way, it’s a good deal for the team and the player. The Braves get to have another season of stability at their DH spot and Ozuna absolutely earned another season with the team. The obvious hope now is that Ozuna can round it off with another good season here in what will be the final season of his contract.