Batting third, LF/DH Marcell Ozuna
Here’s the big signing I have been hyping up. Myself, along with fellow Mariners blog Lookout Landing, have posted blogs about why Seattle should sign Ozuna (Mine can be read by clicking here or clicking the link below).
Marcell Ozuna had a career year last season leading the NL in home runs and RBI’s, along with having a 1.067 OPS. He also had a spectacular .417 xwOBA (99th percentile) and was 94th percentile and above for exit velocity, hard hit %, xBA, xSLG, and barrel %.
With the NL expected to not have a DH next season and this drops Ozuna’s value due to his poor defense. The market has been extremely dry for position players this offseason and the Mariners should strike offering a deal that would look like a steal in an offseason that’s not in the middle of a pandemic.
MLB.com writer Anthony Castrovince, who earlier this offseason picked the Mariners to win the AL West, has the Mariners as Marcell Ozuna’s landing spot in free agency. The 30-year-old Ozuna could be the bridge acting as a similar signing to what the Padres did with Manny Machado and could kickstart the rebuild to help the Mariners now and for the next few years.