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8 trade targets from the Atlanta Braves for the Colorado Rockies

By Noah Yingling

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 05: Atlanta Braves players and family members (L-R) Tucker Davidson #64, Kyle Wright #30, Adam Duvall #14 and son Stone, Sean Newcomb #15, Joc Pederson #22 and daughter Poppy celebrate during the World Series Parade on November 05, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 05: Atlanta Braves players and family members (L-R) Tucker Davidson #64, Kyle Wright #30, Adam Duvall #14 and son Stone, Sean Newcomb #15, Joc Pederson #22 and daughter Poppy celebrate during the World Series Parade on November 05, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves, Marcell Ozuna
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 21: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a solo homer in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park on May 21, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna could be a target for the outfield

In theory, Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna would be a perfect fit for the Colorado Rockies. We mentioned him as a target for the Rockies all the way back in July 2017, when the Marlins (Ozuna’s team at the time) were reportedly looking at Rockies prospects to make a trade before the trade deadline. That never happened, though.

The Colorado Rockies need an outfielder and Ozuna is that. They need a power bat, which Ozuna is as well. And, preferably, they would like a decent defensive outfielder as well, and Ozuna is.

He only played in 48 games in 2021 and he was struggling, partially due to injury, as he was only hitting .213 with an OPS of .645. However, in 2020, Ozuna led the NL in both homers (18) and RBI (56) and he had an OPS+ of 177. He came in 6th in NL MVP and won a Silver Slugger Award as well.

From 2016 through 2019, he averaged 146 games per season with 28 homers, 94 RBI, a .277/.339/.478 slash line, and an OPS+ of 119. In that four-year span, he was an All-Star twice, won an NL Gold Glove Award, won a Silver Slugger Award, and had MVP votes in one season.

Ozuna, 31, is also still fairly young and he is entering the second year of a four-year deal worth $65 million plus a $16 million team option for a fifth year.

The problem is that he has a lot of baggage. While his bat would help the Rockies and he will be able to play in 2022, he was arrested in May 2021 (while on the injured list) and initially charged with felony aggravated assault by strangulation as he was caught strangling his wife in his home when police, who were called moments before, caught Ozuna in the act. (WARNING: Graphic video linked).

According to the New York Post, Ozuna ultimately was charged with misdemeanor family violence and entered a pretrial diversion program. He had to complete 200 hours of community service and anger management counseling.

So his bat would help but the Rockies (and Braves) seriously have to consider whether or not they want him on their roster.

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