Braves predicted to pick up $16 million superstar's option for 2025

Will the Atlanta Braves keep one of their top sluggers around with the organization in 2025?

This question shouldn't be a very difficult one to answer, but it still is up in the air slightly. Marcell Ozuna shined for the Braves in 2024. He was the Braves' best hitter and finished the season with 39 home runs, 104 RBIs, and a .302/.378/.546 slash line in 162 games played.

Ozuna signed a four-year deal worth $65 million ahead of the 2021 season. The deal also has a club option for the 2025 season worth $16 million, and the club will have to make a decision about it. Some have speculated that the club could pick up the option with the intention of trading him. Some even have wondered if the club could part ways with him.

Spotrac's Michael Ginnitti put together a list of all of the players with various options and made predictions for each. He predicted that the Braves ultimately will end up picking up Ozuna's option.

"Marcell Ozuna (DH, Braves)," Ginnitti said. "Option: $16M ($1M buyout). Ozuna is an immovable force in the middle of the Braves’ lineup, hitting for power, average, and consistency across the board. He’s a 7.6 WAR player over the past two seasons, meaning Atlanta will be thrilled to exercise a $16M salary for 2025. Prediction: Exercised."

This seems like a no-brainer. He is just 33 years old and was among the top players in the National League in 2024. Ozuna is one of the biggest reasons why Atlanta made the playoffs despite the high number of injuries. Bringing him back at $16 million makes perfect sense.

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