By Oscar Woods 
The Atlanta Braves face a difficult decision with designated hitter Marcell Ozuna as the 2026 season approaches. After six years with the organization, the three-time All-Star finds himself in an uncertain position following a challenging 2025 campaign.
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A Season of Struggles
Ozuna’s 2025 performance painted a stark contrast to his previous two years with Atlanta. The 35-year-old slugger posted a .232 batting average with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs across 145 games. These numbers represent a significant drop from his back-to-back 40-homer seasons in 2023 and 2024, when he hit a combined 79 home runs and established himself as one of baseball’s most feared power hitters.
The decline became especially noticeable after June. From June 1 onward, Ozuna batted just .189 with inconsistent power production. A hip injury plagued him throughout the season, limiting his mobility and likely affecting his swing mechanics. Manager Brian Snitker reduced his playing time considerably in the second half, rotating Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy through the designated hitter spot instead.
Trade Deadline Drama
When the July trade deadline arrived, the Braves made it clear they wanted to move Ozuna. Multiple reports suggested the team actively shopped the veteran slugger, but no deal materialized. General manager Alex Anthopoulos later explained the situation.
“I can’t force a trade,” Anthopoulos said at the time. “We were not interested in just dumping players and trying to shed some money on a contract.”
Ozuna possessed 10-5 rights, meaning he could veto any trade after spending 10 years in the majors and five with the same team. Some reports indicated he may have used those rights to remain in Atlanta, though Anthopoulos stated that wasn’t the primary issue. The problem was simply that the Braves didn’t receive offers they deemed acceptable.
The Waiver Wire Possibility
Throughout late summer and fall, speculation mounted about whether Atlanta might place Ozuna on waivers. The team sat $8 million below the luxury tax threshold but was out of playoff contention. Bleacher Report even listed him among the top potential waiver-wire candidates in October.
The argument for waiving Ozuna centered on financial flexibility. His $16 million salary for 2025 represented a significant commitment for a player whose role had diminished. The Braves non-tendered both Griffin Canning and Ramón Laureano in November to save similar amounts of money, suggesting the organization wasn’t opposed to making difficult roster decisions.
However, Atlanta never pulled that trigger. Ozuna remained on the roster through the end of the season, and his contract expired, making him a free agent for 2026.
Free Agency Outlook
The market for Ozuna has been notably quiet this offseason. After early rumors linking him to various teams, interest appears to have cooled considerably. At 35 years old and coming off a down season, he faces significant challenges in landing a lucrative contract.
Just Baseball identified several potential landing spots, including the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, and Los Angeles Angels. Each team has designated hitter needs and could view Ozuna as a reasonable one-year gamble. Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati would theoretically boost his home run totals, with Statcast projecting he would have hit 24 homers there instead of 21.
The Nationals have also been mentioned as a possibility, representing an interesting division rival scenario. Washington needs offensive help and could take a chance on the veteran slugger rebounding.
The Braves’ Perspective
New manager Walt Weiss indicated during the Winter Meetings that bringing Ozuna back hasn’t been completely ruled out, though the likelihood appears slim. The organization prefers keeping the designated hitter spot flexible, rotating Murphy and Baldwin through the position to give them rest from catching duties.
“All things being equal, I do like the freedom of getting guys off their legs,” Weiss explained. “It’s like a half a day off.”
Sports Illustrated writer Harrison Smajovits urged the Braves to move on from Ozuna entirely. The team has shown they can function without a full-time designated hitter, and allocating that salary toward pitching or infield help might make more sense.
The Athletic’s David O’Brien reported that Anthopoulos prefers to split designated hitter duties rather than sign a full-time player like Ozuna. This approach would save money while keeping the roster flexible.
Contract Expectations
Ozuna earned $16 million in 2025, but that price tag seems unrealistic for his next contract. His 2025 performance, combined with his age and limited defensive value, will force him to accept a significant pay cut.
Most projections suggest a one-year deal worth considerably less money. Ozuna is no longer eligible for a qualifying offer after receiving one earlier in his career, which removes draft pick compensation as a barrier for interested teams.
The slugger may bet on himself with a one-year contract, hoping to rebuild his value for another shot at free agency in 2027. However, that strategy carries risk for a player entering his late thirties.
What the Numbers Say
Despite the down season, some underlying metrics suggest Ozuna wasn’t completely washed. He walked 94 times in 2025, more than his 74 walks in 2024 despite fewer plate appearances. His on-base percentage held up better than his batting average, indicating plate discipline remained intact.
The power inconsistency told a different story. After posting ISO marks of .241 in July and .234 in August, he managed just .091 in September. His .168 ISO for the full season marked his lowest since 2018 with St. Louis.
Over six seasons with Atlanta, Ozuna hit 148 home runs with an OPS+ of 127. He made the All-Star team in 2024 and finished fourth in NL MVP voting that year. Those accomplishments seem distant now, but they demonstrate the ceiling he once reached.
The Verdict
Whether Marcell Ozuna becomes a waiver candidate remains moot since his contract has expired. The real question now is where he lands in free agency and whether any team believes the 35-year-old slugger has enough left to justify a roster spot.
The Braves appear ready to move forward without him, prioritizing roster flexibility and financial savings. For Ozuna, this represents a crossroads moment. One strong season could resurrect his career. Another poor showing might end it.
Teams looking for designated hitter help on a budget will certainly consider him. The combination of proven track record, relatively affordable price tag, and potential upside makes him an intriguing option despite the risk. Which organization takes that chance will determine the next chapter of Ozuna’s career.