It’s a question that surfaces in fan forums and sports talk radio every time he goes through a slump: is Marcell Ozuna a waiver candidate for the Atlanta Braves? The answer is complicated. While his massive contract makes it highly unlikely the Braves would simply release him, a perfect storm of poor performance, roster needs, and financial strategy could make it a legitimate front-office discussion.
Marcell Ozuna’s situation is a classic case of a high-priced player with a specific, yet inconsistent, skill set. The Braves value his power, but his defensive limitations and streaky hitting create a challenging puzzle for General Manager Alex Anthopoulos. This article explores the scenarios under which Ozuna could be waived, the more likely alternatives, and what it would mean for the team.
What Does Marcell Ozuna’s Contract Mean for Waivers?
Marcell Ozuna’s contract is the single biggest reason he remains on the Atlanta Braves roster. Unlike in the NFL, MLB contracts are fully guaranteed, meaning the team is obligated to pay the entire amount regardless of whether the player is on the team, injured, or released. Releasing him means paying him millions to not play for them.
Ozuna signed a four-year, $65 million contract with the Braves back in February 2021. As of early 2026, the team is still responsible for a significant portion of that money. Placing him on waivers, where another team could claim him for a minimal fee, would mean the Braves are stuck with nearly all of that remaining salary as “dead money” on their payroll. This financial burden severely limits the team’s flexibility to sign or acquire other players. For a team as meticulously managed as the Braves, this is a worst-case scenario.
How Does Ozuna’s On-Field Performance Justify His Roster Spot?
His offensive potential, specifically his raw power, is the primary justification for his roster spot. When Ozuna is locked in, he can carry an offense for weeks at a time, hitting home runs and driving in runs from the designated hitter (DH) position. This potential for game-changing impact is something front offices are hesitant to give up on.
However, the inconsistency is the problem. His performance often comes in dramatic peaks and valleys. He can follow a 10-homer month with one where he struggles to maintain a .200 batting average. Also, his defensive skills have declined, making him almost exclusively a DH. This lack of versatility means he has to hit at an elite level to provide significant value. When he isn’t hitting, he offers very little to the team, which is why the waiver conversation always re-emerges during his slumps. .
[IMAGE alt=”A statistical chart showing Marcell Ozuna’s fluctuating offensive numbers over the past few seasons.” caption=”Marcell Ozuna’s performance often comes in waves, making his roster spot a constant topic of debate.”]
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What Are the Pros and Cons of the Braves Waiving Ozuna?
The decision to waive a player like Ozuna involves weighing a significant financial loss against potential on-field gains. The main pro is opening a roster spot for a more consistent or versatile player, while the overwhelming con is the financial penalty with almost no benefit in return.
- Roster Flexibility: Frees up a 40-man and 26-man roster spot for a younger player, a better defender, or a more consistent hitter.
- Improved Team Defense: Allows the Braves to use the DH spot more strategically for players who need a day off from the field, rather than being locked into one player.
- Moving On: Ends the constant cycle of debate and distraction that can come with a polarizing, high-priced, and inconsistent player.
- Massive Financial Hit: The Braves would have to pay the remainder of his guaranteed salary, representing a huge amount of “dead money.”
- Loss of Power Potential: They would lose a player capable of hitting 30-40 home runs, a rare commodity.
- Risk of Him Succeeding Elsewhere: Nothing stings more than releasing a player who then finds success with another team, making the original team look foolish.
- No Return on Investment: Unlike a trade, waiving him brings back no players or prospects.
Could the Braves Trade Marcell Ozuna Instead?
A trade is a much more palatable and likely scenario than placing Ozuna on waivers. However, finding a trade partner is still incredibly difficult due to his contract. Any team acquiring him would be taking on his salary and inconsistent performance.
For a trade to happen, the Braves would almost certainly need to do one of two things:
- Pay Down His Salary: Atlanta could agree to pay a large percentage of Ozuna’s remaining contract to make him more attractive to another team. This still results in dead money, but less than an outright release, and they might get a minor prospect in return.
- Attach a Prospect: The Braves could include a promising prospect in the deal as a “sweetener” to convince another team to take on the full contract. This is a move Alex Anthopoulos has historically been reluctant to make.
The most likely trade partners would be American League teams in need of a full-time DH who believe they can fix his inconsistencies.
What Scenarios Would Force the Braves’ Hand on Ozuna?
A combination of factors would need to align for the Braves to seriously consider a drastic move. A single slump isn’t enough; it would require a perfect storm where keeping him becomes more detrimental than the financial cost of removing him.
Here are three plausible scenarios:
- The Deep, Prolonged Slump: This isn’t just a bad month. This would be a three-to-four-month stretch where his production is well below replacement level, offering no signs of a turnaround.
- The Top Prospect Emerges: If a hot-hitting prospect is tearing up Triple-A Gwinnett and has nowhere to play on the major league roster, the pressure builds to create a spot. Keeping a struggling veteran over a promising rookie can hurt long-term development. .
- A Pressing Roster Need: If injuries pile up and the Braves desperately need a roster spot for a pitcher or a key defensive player, Ozuna’s limited role as a DH makes him a more logical candidate to be moved than a versatile position player.
[IMAGE alt=”Atlanta Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos looking on from the front office.” caption=”Alex Anthopoulos must weigh financial obligations against on-field production when deciding Marcell Ozuna’s future.”]
Comparing Ozuna’s Situation to Other Large MLB Contracts
Ozuna’s situation is not unique in baseball history. Teams have often been saddled with large, underperforming contracts. Looking at how other teams handled similar dilemmas provides valuable context for what the Braves might do.
According to a 2023 analysis by FanGraphs, teams spent over $300 million on players who were no longer on their 40-man rosters, highlighting the widespread issue of “dead money” in baseball.
| Player | Team | Contract Details | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcell Ozuna | Atlanta Braves | 4 years, $65M (2021-24) + Club Option | Currently Active (as of 2026) |
| Robinson Canó | NY Mets / SD Padres | 10 years, $240M | Traded, Released by multiple teams who absorbed parts of the salary. |
| Chris Davis | Baltimore Orioles | 7 years, $161M | Played out contract despite severe underperformance; retired before it ended. |
| Albert Pujols | Los Angeles Angels | 10 years, $240M | Released by Angels in the final year of his deal; team paid remaining salary. |
This table shows that while releasing a player with a large contract does happen (Pujols, Canó), it’s often a last resort. Teams will go to great lengths, like the Orioles did with Chris Davis, to avoid eating the entire sum. For more details on player contracts, you can visit a reliable source like the MLB section of Spotrac.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money is left on Marcell Ozuna’s contract?
Marcell Ozuna’s original four-year, $65 million deal concluded after the 2024 season. The Braves then exercised a $16 million club option for 2025. Any discussions in 2026 would depend on a new contract or another team option, but the original large, guaranteed deal that caused so much debate has been fulfilled.
Has Marcell Ozuna ever been an All-Star?
Yes, Marcell Ozuna is a two-time MLB All-Star. He earned the honors in 2016 and 2017 while playing for the Miami Marlins. He has also won two Silver Slugger Awards, one with the Marlins in 2017 and another with the Braves during his outstanding 2020 season.
What is the difference between being waived and being designated for assignment (DFA)?
Designating a player for assignment (DFA) removes them from the 40-man roster. The team then has seven days to trade, release, or place the player on waivers. Waivers are the process where other teams can claim the player. Essentially, DFA is the first step that often leads to a player being waived.
Who could replace Ozuna on the Braves roster?
If the Braves were to move on from Ozuna, they would likely look to their farm system for a replacement DH or platoon bat. Top prospects in the upper minors would be the first candidates. Alternatively, they could use the DH spot as a rotation to give regular position players a partial day off.
What is Marcell Ozuna’s primary role on the Braves?
Marcell Ozuna’s primary role is the team’s designated hitter (DH). Due to his below-average defensive metrics, he rarely plays in the outfield. His job is to provide power and run production from the middle of the lineup, a role that requires consistent offensive output to be valuable to the team.
What’s the Final Verdict on Ozuna’s Waiver Status?
So, is Marcell Ozuna a legitimate waiver candidate for the Braves? The final verdict is no, not under normal circumstances. The financial penalty of his guaranteed contract is simply too severe for the organization to absorb without an extreme decline in his performance. A trade, where the Braves pay down a portion of his salary, remains a more plausible, though still challenging, exit strategy.
Ultimately, Ozuna’s fate in Atlanta rests on his own bat. If he produces the power numbers he is capable of, all waiver talk will fade away. But if a deep slump coincides with a pressing roster need, Alex Anthopoulos may be forced to make one of the toughest financial decisions of his tenure. For now, fans should expect to see “The Big Bear” in the heart of the Braves’ lineup. .
