ATLANTA, GA – Following a wave of recent trades that have reshaped American League rosters, former Atlanta Braves slugger and current free agent Marcell Ozuna is now firmly connected to two AL teams desperate for offensive firepower: the Los Angeles Angels and the Kansas City Royals.
Ozuna, who recently completed his contract with the Braves (and was a free agent at the time of the recent trades), is viewed as an ideal right-handed Designated Hitter (DH) solution for clubs looking for big power on a shorter-term deal.
The New Favorite: Los Angeles Angels
The most significant connection emerged after the Angels made a major move to upgrade their pitching staff. The Angels recently traded outfielder Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher Grayson Rodriguez.
This trade, while raising the ceiling of the Angels’ rotation, left a “sizable hole in the middle of their lineup,” according to insider Jordan Leandre of Just Baseball.
- The Logic: Angels General Manager Perry Minasian is now positioned to maximize value by replacing Ward’s offense with a veteran slugger.
- The Fit: The 35-year-old Ozuna, who hit 39 home runs in 2024 and still draws walks at an elite rate, would fill the open DH slot, providing immediate power without demanding defensive duties. The potential move is contingent on a healthy Mike Trout and a desire to win now.
The Disappointing AL Team: Kansas City Royals
Ozuna has also been linked to the Kansas City Royals, a team considered one of the most disappointing in the AL last season. The Royals are reportedly on the prowl for offense but are expected to target bats in “Ozuna’s tier” rather than big-game hunting for superstars.
The connection is fueled by the history of the Royals successfully utilizing right-handed sluggers for power:
- The Precedent: Analysts point to the Royals’ success in taking a righty slugger (Jorge Soler) and turning him into a league-leader in home runs.
- The Goal: While Kauffman Stadium is not known as a hitter’s park, Ozuna’s addition would be a relatively low-cost way for Kansas City to boost production and inject experience into their lineup as they attempt to climb out of the AL Central basement.
With the Braves looking to address other needs and Ozuna’s market seemingly firming up in the American League, the question now is which team will meet the veteran DH’s expected contract demands (projected around a two-year deal for roughly $27 million).
