Ozuna Brings Big Bat to Atlanta

Courtesy of TalkingChop: Marcell Ozuna (23) signs 0ne-year deal with the Braves, team he haunted during the 2019 NLDS

Braves couldn't match the Minnesota Twins' 4-year, $92 million offer to 3B Josh Donaldson, so the team closed that door. As quickly as that door closed, another one opened. In stepped in a one year, $18 million offer that was accepted by free agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna. This offer was similar to Donaldson's one year, $23 million deal last year.

In Ozuna, the Braves get a solid and consistent hitter that has been in the league for seven years, five for the Miami Marlins and two for the St. Louis Cardinals. Over those seven years, Ozuna has compiled a .272 average, while putting up 148 homeruns and 531 RBIs.

Having another solid at bat in the number four hole in the lineup not only helps the team in general, but it also helps the number three hitter, 1B Freddie Freeman. Last year with Josh Donaldson in the fourth spot of the lineup meant that pitchers couldn't just pitch around Freeman because they knew they had to face Donaldson. With that said, that situation helped Freeman put up monster numbers hitting. .295, 38 homeruns, and the most runs batted in for Freeman for his career with 121.

My opinion for the 2020 campaign for Freeman is going to be no different from the 2019, out is Donaldson, in is Ozuna, and pitchers are going to be faced with having to pitch to Freeman again because Ozuna will be next in the lineup. Another monster year for Freeman.

My prediction for Ozuna will be a monster year as well. Injuries occur, but if Ozuna can stay healthy, I see a .290 average, 35-40 homeruns, and 100 plus RBIs. Truist Park, formerly SunTrust Park, is launching pad 2.0. Launching pad 1.0 was Fulton County Stadium and just about 20 miles northwest is Truist Park. Once warm weather settles in, the baseball gets caught up in the warm Georgia humid air, and homeruns seem to fly.

The 2020 season is here as pitchers and catchers start to report this week to south Florida. All position players, if not already there, will start arriving in the next couple days. Heres to warmer weather and the crack of the bat as baseball is back for another season.

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