Trade Rumors: Atlanta Braves Outfield Trade Talk
By Fred Owens
Jun 17, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna (13) hits a single during the ninth inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The trade train is roaring towards the non-waiver deadline. How the Braves outfield is affected – if at all – is a subject of much conjecture so why not add more?
Evaluating the Braves Outfield
This won’t take long, the Braves outfield is in flux. The only guaranteed piece in Nick Markakis although recent stories say Cameron Maybin is fairly set as well. The known hole is a corner outfielder with at least 20 home run power. Alan’s piece generated – and is still generating – a lot of chatter about that. There are other possibilities however and this morning one popped up worthy of a look when it was reported that the Marlins are listening on Marcell Ozuna.
About Marcell Ozuna
The Marlins signed Ozuna as an international amateur free agent in 2008 at age 18. He worked his way through their system and in 2103 had an attention getting year. He started at A+ Jupiter was promoted after just four games to AA Jacksonville where he posted a .333/.383/.810 line is a small sample of 10 games. The Marlins were using Justin Ruggiano – essentially a corner outfielder – and Jake Marisnik – who?- in centerfield.
On April 30 Ozuna got the call and played in right field for the next 36 games posting a .331/.371/.472/.843 line – one homer, 13 doubles, two triples – buoyed by a .422 BAbip and four DRS, 9.6 UZR defensively.
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On June 10 he took over in center and played there for the next 34 games. The move coincided with a dramatic drop in his offense. The BAbip pendulum swung sharply the other direction –.226- and his line plummeted to .195/.230/.301/.531- two homers, four doubles, two triples. On July 23rd he has 68 Pad, he tore a ligament in his thumb and went on the DL until the season ended,
The 2014 season was a breakout year for Ozuna, he earned the starting job in center and held it all season. His bat looked ready as he posted .269/.317/.455/.772 including 23 homers, 26 doubles, five triples and 85 RBI. His defense in center looked either really good – 10 DRS – or decidedly average –1.1 UZR- depending on your favorite metric, It was good enough for the Marlins to try and extend him as they did Christian Yelich but his agent is Scott Boras and the offers were refused.
He might be wishing he’d taken that offer because this year he’s been up and down.
| Split | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | BAbip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April/March | 81 | 69 | 10 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 23 | .275 | .358 | .333 | .691 | .396 |
| May | 121 | 114 | 10 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 18 | .263 | .306 | .386 | .692 | .290 |
| June | 106 | 100 | 7 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 31 | .250 | .292 | .330 | .622 | .353 |
| July | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
While the batting average stayed pretty even his OBP dropped after April and his BAbip looked like a yo-yo and the Fish eventually sent him to AAA. Since arriving in New Orleans he’s had 68PA and he;s raking again –.344/.382/.641/1.023 – and looking like the guy they tried to extend.