The Atlanta Braves have one of the best foundations in MLB, hoping for a seventh-straight playoff appearance with six NL East titles in that stretch.
From Ronald Acuña Jr. to Spencer Strider to Matt Olson, there are numerous excellent players on this team, all deserving of high salaries and lengthy contracts. Atlanta has done a fantastic job taking care of its core guys for the most part, and now they've got an opportunity to keep that goodwill going.
Three-time All-Star Marcell Ozuna has been with the organization for five years. He's still one of the sport's best hitters but is in the final year of his contract, and according to him, he wants to spend the rest of his career as a Brave.
Marcell Ozuna would love to spend the rest of his career in Atlanta, but for now, his focus is on having a great 2025. Over the winter, he tried to add strength so his body could better handle the grind of 162. https://t.co/Ez1ceic8Yd
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) February 19, 2025
Braves Star Marcell Ozuna Wants to Spend Rest of Career in Atlanta
In a conversation with Justin Toscano of The Atlantic Journal-Constitution, Ozuna was asked directly what it would mean to sign an extension and stay with Atlanta.
"It would mean a lot because I don’t want to be jumping around — play this year for the Braves and then next year play for somebody else, and then the year after the next year play for someone (else)," Ozuna told Toscano. "I want to keep in one spot most of the time."
Atlanta would certainly be better off with the 34-year-old slugger in the lineup. As Toscano notes, "Since May 1, 2023, Ozuna’s 77 homers rank fourth in baseball — behind only Shohei Ohtani (91), Aaron Judge (89), and Kyle Schwarber (79). Ozuna ranks fifth with 202 RBIs over that span. And in that time, his .944 OPS is sixth in the sport."
It's hard, nearly impossible even, to replace that level of production. The team picked up his club option for $16 million this year, though he'd become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 should the sides not come to an agreement. Ozuna ranked in the 96th percentile in hard-hit percentage and 98th in expected slugging percentage at Baseball Savant, and barring a dramatic collapse, he'll have plenty of teams vying for his services should the Braves let it get that far.
Ozuna doesn't want that to happen and for Atlanta's sake, here's hoping the front office agrees.