The Atlanta Braves battled with a slew of injuries in 2024 and responded by stockpiling outfielders.
As a result, the Braves may face difficult decisions this winter. Atlanta had an abundance of outfielders. The Braves currently have Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Ramón Laureano, Jorge Soler, and Jarred Kelenic under contract or facing arbitration.
Other Braves players, such as Adam Duvall, will be eligible for free agency and are unlikely to return. Atlanta even has slugger Marcell Ozuna on a club option for the 2025 season, and while he could play outfield if needed, he was a designated hitter in 2024.
Atlanta will not be able to bring everyone back, and there has been conjecture that the Braves will exercise Ozuna’s $16 million option and move him. While this is the case, FanSided’s John Buhler suggested the team consider trade Kelenic instead.
“One possible solution would be to trade star designated hitter Marcell Ozuna for high-end prospects or some much-needed help at other positions,” according to Buhler. “However, I strongly oppose that, considering he has been one of baseball’s finest hitters over the last two years. Furthermore, he is under a relatively manageable team-option deal until 2025. Ozuna was not going to be dealt once that offer was given to him…
“Kelenic had one terrific month at the plate but ended up being what he was always when he was with the Seattle Mariners or the New York Mets: the concept of a truly good baseball player. The skill is there, but he gets lost in his thoughts more than Dr. John Dorian on Scrubs. I’d consider trading him because he’s in the final year of his contract.”
Ozuna is entering the final year of a four-year, $65 million contract that includes a club option for 2025, making it a five-year deal in total. He will be far more expensive than Kelenic, who is expected to earn slightly over $2 million.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both moves. Ozuna has been a much better hitter, although he is now 33 years old. Kelenic is only 25 years old and might be a valuable asset to develop around if he can play more offensively.
Atlanta faces difficult decisions, and how the club handles Ozuna’s club option will be crucial.
