Abdul haye
The Atlanta Braves have consistently been one of Major League Baseball’s most competitive franchises in recent years, boasting a powerful lineup and a strong pitching staff. However, as the 2026 season progresses, speculation has begun to swirl around one of their most polarizing players: Marcell Ozuna. With his performance oscillating and off-field issues occasionally making headlines, some analysts and fans are beginning to ask—could Marcell Ozuna become a waiver candidate for the Braves? In this article, we’ll explore Ozuna’s current situation, analyze his contract and on-field production, and examine the potential ramifications of a waiver move.
Marcell Ozuna: The Player and the Contract
Marcell Ozuna joined the Braves in 2020, quickly making an impact with his powerful bat. In the shortened 2020 season, he was a key contributor, finishing in the top five for the NL MVP and leading the league in home runs. As a result, Atlanta signed him to a four-year, $65 million contract, a deal that included both significant guaranteed money and a club option for 2025.
Marcell Ozuna joined the Braves in 2020, quickly making an impact with his powerful bat. In the shortened 2020 season, he was a key contributor, finishing in the top five for the NL MVP and leading the league in home runs. As a result, Atlanta signed him to a four-year, $65 million contract, a deal that included both significant guaranteed money and a club option for 2025.
However, since his breakout season, Ozuna’s performance has fluctuated. While he has certainly shown flashes of brilliance—hitting 30+ home runs in both 2023 and 2024—his batting average, on-base percentage, and defensive metrics have often lagged behind expectations. Moreover, his contract now stands as one of the larger commitments on the Braves’ payroll, making his future with the team a topic of ongoing debate.
On-Field Performance: Strengths and Weaknesses
When assessing whether Ozuna could be a waiver candidate, it’s essential to look at his on-field performance in detail. Offensively, Ozuna’s primary asset is his power. He remains a legitimate home run threat, capable of changing a game with one swing. His 2025 campaign saw him hit 33 homers with 92 RBIs, but his batting average dipped below .240, and his strikeout rate climbed.
When assessing whether Ozuna could be a waiver candidate, it’s essential to look at his on-field performance in detail. Offensively, Ozuna’s primary asset is his power. He remains a legitimate home run threat, capable of changing a game with one swing. His 2025 campaign saw him hit 33 homers with 92 RBIs, but his batting average dipped below .240, and his strikeout rate climbed.
Defensively, Ozuna’s value is limited. Once considered an average to above-average outfielder, his range and arm strength have declined. The Braves have increasingly used him as a designated hitter, which limits his versatility but capitalizes on his offensive skills.
Another concern is his base running. Ozuna is not a speed threat, and his baserunning decisions have occasionally cost the Braves extra outs. While not disastrous, these weaknesses, when combined with inconsistent production, make him a less-than-ideal everyday player for a contender with championship aspirations.
Off-Field Issues and Public Relations
Complicating matters further are Ozuna’s off-field problems. Most notably, his 2021 arrest for domestic violence and subsequent suspension under MLB’s domestic violence policy put a stain on his reputation. While he has since returned to the field, the incident has made him a lightning rod for criticism and has arguably lessened his standing within the organization and with fans.
Complicating matters further are Ozuna’s off-field problems. Most notably, his 2021 arrest for domestic violence and subsequent suspension under MLB’s domestic violence policy put a stain on his reputation. While he has since returned to the field, the incident has made him a lightning rod for criticism and has arguably lessened his standing within the organization and with fans.
While teams are often willing to overlook off-field issues in exchange for elite performance, Ozuna’s mixed on-field results have made this a more delicate balance. The Braves, a franchise with a strong commitment to community and positive public relations, must weigh the optics of keeping a player with a checkered past if he’s not delivering elite results.
The Braves’ Roster Situation
The Braves’ roster construction is another key element in the waiver discussion. With a deep lineup featuring stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Ozzie Albies, the Braves have the luxury—and challenge—of fitting all their talent into the everyday lineup. Younger players are pushing for more playing time, and the emergence of prospects in Triple-A could further squeeze Ozuna’s role.
The Braves’ roster construction is another key element in the waiver discussion. With a deep lineup featuring stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Ozzie Albies, the Braves have the luxury—and challenge—of fitting all their talent into the everyday lineup. Younger players are pushing for more playing time, and the emergence of prospects in Triple-A could further squeeze Ozuna’s role.
Additionally, the Braves have shown a willingness to make bold moves if they believe it will help the club. The DFA (designated for assignment) and waiver wire are tools that GM Alex Anthopoulos has used before to refresh the roster and address underperformance or clubhouse fit.
Financial Considerations
One of the primary obstacles to moving Ozuna via waivers is his contract. With a significant amount of guaranteed money left, the Braves would likely have to eat a substantial portion of his salary if another team were to claim him—or, more likely, if he were to clear waivers and be released. This financial hit is not insignificant, even for a big-market team, and could impact the Braves’ flexibility in future free agent markets or trade windows.
One of the primary obstacles to moving Ozuna via waivers is his contract. With a significant amount of guaranteed money left, the Braves would likely have to eat a substantial portion of his salary if another team were to claim him—or, more likely, if he were to clear waivers and be released. This financial hit is not insignificant, even for a big-market team, and could impact the Braves’ flexibility in future free agent markets or trade windows.
That said, teams have shown a willingness to absorb dead money if it means improving roster construction or clubhouse chemistry. The decision ultimately comes down to whether the Braves believe Ozuna’s presence is helping or hindering their championship aspirations.
Waiver Process: How It Works
For those unfamiliar, placing a player on waivers means any team can claim him and assume his contract. If no team claims the player, he can be released or assigned to the minors. For a veteran like Ozuna with a large contract, it is unlikely another team would claim him outright, but the waiver process can serve as a signal of the Braves’ intentions.
For those unfamiliar, placing a player on waivers means any team can claim him and assume his contract. If no team claims the player, he can be released or assigned to the minors. For a veteran like Ozuna with a large contract, it is unlikely another team would claim him outright, but the waiver process can serve as a signal of the Braves’ intentions.
Recent Precedents
The Braves are not the first team to face such a dilemma. In recent years, high-profile players such as Albert Pujols (Angels) and Robinson Canó (Mets, Padres) have been designated for assignment or placed on waivers, sometimes with years left on their contracts. In nearly every case, the player cleared waivers and became a free agent, with the original team absorbing most of the remaining salary.
The Braves are not the first team to face such a dilemma. In recent years, high-profile players such as Albert Pujols (Angels) and Robinson Canó (Mets, Padres) have been designated for assignment or placed on waivers, sometimes with years left on their contracts. In nearly every case, the player cleared waivers and became a free agent, with the original team absorbing most of the remaining salary.
Fan and Media Reaction
The possibility of waiving Marcell Ozuna would undoubtedly generate strong reactions among Braves fans and the broader baseball media. Some would applaud the move as a sign of the franchise’s commitment to performance and culture, while others might criticize the loss of a powerful bat. The narrative would also center on the financial implications and the message sent to the rest of the clubhouse.
The possibility of waiving Marcell Ozuna would undoubtedly generate strong reactions among Braves fans and the broader baseball media. Some would applaud the move as a sign of the franchise’s commitment to performance and culture, while others might criticize the loss of a powerful bat. The narrative would also center on the financial implications and the message sent to the rest of the clubhouse.
Possible Outcomes
If the Braves do decide to place Ozuna on waivers, there are a few possible outcomes:
If the Braves do decide to place Ozuna on waivers, there are a few possible outcomes:
- He is claimed by another team, which assumes his contract (unlikely due to the financial commitment).
- He clears waivers and is released, with the Braves absorbing his salary.
- He clears waivers and is reassigned to Triple-A or kept as a bench bat.
Each of these outcomes carries risks and rewards, but all would mark a significant turning point for both Ozuna and the franchise.
Conclusion
Is Marcell Ozuna a waiver candidate for the Braves? Given his inconsistent production, limited defensive value, off-field baggage, and sizable contract, it is not outside the realm of possibility. However, the decision is complex, involving financial, performance, and public relations factors.
Is Marcell Ozuna a waiver candidate for the Braves? Given his inconsistent production, limited defensive value, off-field baggage, and sizable contract, it is not outside the realm of possibility. However, the decision is complex, involving financial, performance, and public relations factors.
The Braves’ front office must weigh whether Ozuna’s power bat outweighs his liabilities or if it’s time to move on and give opportunities to younger, more well-rounded players. One thing is clear: whatever the Braves decide will send a strong message about the team’s priorities as they continue their pursuit of another championship.
