The $65 million man who anchored the Atlanta Braves’ lineup for years, Marcell Ozuna, is now predicted to cut ties with the powerhouse club and make a stunning, career-flipping move to the Colorado Rockies—reportedly the worst team in MLB in the 2025 season.
The prediction hinges on the Braves’ shift in priorities and Ozuna’s need for a team that can maximize his offensive value, even if it means trading a contender for a cellar-dweller.
The Main Character: Marcell Ozuna
The main character in this unexpected free agency twist is three-time All-Star Marcell Ozuna.
- The Contract Status: Ozuna just completed a four-year, $65 million contract (including the 2025 option) with the Braves. He is now a free agent, and the Braves are not expected to re-sign him as they prioritize starting pitching and shortstop.
- 2025 Performance: His 2025 season saw a stark power outage, hitting only 21 home runs and slashing .232/.355/.400. However, he compensated with an elite approach, posting MLB’s third-best walk rate (behind only Aaron Judge and Juan Soto).
- Projected Value: Due to his decline in power, the slugger is projected to receive a pay cut, with his market value estimated around a two-year, $27.4 million deal.
The Stunning Twist: Heading to the “Worst Team”
The shocking prediction by analysts at Sports Illustrated is that Ozuna will sign with the Colorado Rockies, a team that finished the 2025 season with a dismal 43-119 record.
- The Rockies’ Desperation: Following a historically bad season, the Rockies are desperate for any kind of offensive help and veteran leadership.
- The Coors Field Upside: The stunning twist is that Coors Field is perhaps the perfect place for Ozuna to maximize his production and flip his career upside down. The mile-high altitude of Denver is famous for transforming hitters, allowing Ozuna to potentially regain the 40+ home run form he showed in previous seasons, even with declining overall contact skills.
- A Win-Win:
- For Ozuna: A chance to drastically improve his numbers and land a final large contract in two years.
- For the Rockies: A guaranteed veteran power bat to draw fans and mentor their young players, providing a necessary jolt to a struggling lineup.
The move would be a major storyline in the National League, seeing one of Atlanta’s most recognizable power bats leave a contender to try and rebuild his value in the most hitter-friendly park in baseball.
The Braves are now confirmed to be prioritizing shortstop and starting pitching. Would you like to check the latest contract prediction for free-agent starter Dylan Cease to see if the Braves are willing to meet his price tag?
