Braves predicted for $16 million reunion with controversial three-time All-Star

The Atlanta Braves had a tough run in 2024.

Franchise stars Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider and Austin Riley all went down with season-ending injuries. And though they powered through for a winning record and a playoff bid, they were bounced in the first round by the San Diego Padres.

The front office can hope for better results by bringing back virtually the same roster, provided their best players stay healthy in 2025. One key part of that roster, three-time All-Star Marcell Ozuna, has a $16 million club option for 2025, and Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicted that the team would exercise it.

“The Braves were decimated by injuries in 2024, but he was the one constant, homering 39 times and posting a .925 OPS. Even as a full-time DH, he has a real shot to finish in the top five in NL MVP voting,” Kelly noted. “There’s no reason to think now the Braves won’t exercise what amounts to a very team-friendly option and bring him back for a sixth season.”

In terms of production, exercising the club option seems like a no-brainer. Ozuna slashed .302/.378/.546, playing in all 162 games this season. He led the team in regular season home runs, RBI, hits, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

But he has generated some controversy off the field. He was arrested for aggravated assault in 2021 and for driving under the influence in 2022 . Sticking with him this long, though, the Braves clearly believe he has put those problems behind him. And Ozuna has rewarded them for that belief on the field.

“Marcell Ozuna served a 20-game domestic violence suspension during the 2021 season. When he was hitting .085 at the end of April 2023, it felt like the Braves may end up having to cut their losses and release him,” Kelly added. “From a moral perspective, perhaps the Braves should have moved on from Ozuna after his arrest. They didn't, though, and he's revived his career.”

Likely to exercise their team-friendly option on the slugger, the Braves will have a key roster piece back for 2025. If they can enjoy healthy returns from their other stars and continued production from the likes of Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez, 2025 could go much better than 2024 did.

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