By Word Whimsy 
The Atlanta Braves are the model of modern roster construction: a blend of homegrown superstars, team-friendly extensions, and shrewd financial management. Yet, one contract stands out as a persistent anomaly in their otherwise pristine spreadsheet—the deal for designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. As the 2024 season unfolds and the front office plans for the future, a complex and stark question is being asked by fans and analysts alike: Is Marcell Ozuna a legitimate waiver candidate for the Braves?
This isn’t just speculative chatter. The phrase “Braves Marcell Ozuna waiver candidate” encapsulates a multifaceted dilemma involving performance, sunk cost, roster flexibility, and the unemotional calculus of championship contention. To fully understand why this topic has gained traction, we must examine the journey, the numbers, the financial reality, and the potential paths forward for both player and team.
From MVP Caliber to Major Liability: The Ozuna Rollercoaster
The Braves initially signed Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $18 million prove-it deal for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. It was a masterstroke. Ozuna dominated, leading the National League in home runs (18) and RBIs (56) while slashing .338/.431/.636, finishing sixth in MVP voting. He was the offensive centerpiece for a team that came within a game of the World Series.
Emboldened by that success, the Braves moved quickly to retain his bat, inking him to a four-year, $65 million contract. What followed was a perfect storm of adversity. The 2021 season was a disaster on and off the field. Ozuna’s performance plummeted (.213/.288/.356) before a fractured hand sidelined him.
The narrative in 2022 seemed to be one of an untradeable asset and a potential Braves to release Marcell Ozuna scenario. His OPS+ of 56 was among the worst in baseball. The contract was widely panned as one of the worst in the sport.
Then, 2023 happened. In a stunning reversal, the “Big Bear” re-emerged. Ozuna silenced critics by launching 40 home runs, driving in 100 runs, and posting a .905 OPS. He was arguably the most consistent power threat behind MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson. The conversation shifted from outright release to “can he keep it up?”
The 2024 Reality Check: Performance vs. Payroll
The 2024 season has brought a return to uncertainty, reigniting the Braves Marcell Ozuna waiver candidate discussion. While the power remains (he’s on pace for another 35+ HR season), his underlying metrics and overall offensive profile have raised concerns:
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Streaky Production: Prolonged slumps have highlighted his low on-base percentage and high strikeout rate.
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Defensive Limitation: Ozuna is almost exclusively a DH. In the National League, this locks a valuable roster spot into a single, inflexible role.
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The Albies/Acuna Factor: The injuries to stars like Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Ozzie Albies have exposed a lack of depth and flexibility. Every roster spot becomes critical, and a dedicated DH who isn’t performing at an elite level becomes a luxury the Braves can ill afford.
The financial component is the anchor. Ozuna is in the final guaranteed year of his deal, earning $18 million in 2024. For 2025, he has a $16 million club option with a $1 million buyout. This is the crux of the decision.
What Does “Waiver Candidate” Actually Mean?
When discussing a Braves Marcell Ozuna waiver candidate, it’s crucial to define the term. Placing a player on waivers is a procedural move with two main types:
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Outright Waivers: This is used to remove a player from the 40-man roster. If he goes unclaimed, he can be sent to the minors. A veteran like Ozuna with over 5 years of service time would almost certainly refuse that assignment, choosing free agency instead—but the Braves would still be on the hook for his full salary.
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Trade Waivers (Revocable Waivers): Historically used after the July deadline, this is a mechanism to gauge trade interest. If a player is claimed, the team can work out a trade, let him go to the claiming team (who assumes the contract), or pull him back.
The strategic use of waivers for a player like Ozuna would likely be an attempt to facilitate a trade or, as a last resort, simply release him to create a roster spot if his performance nosedives and the team feels they have a better internal option.
The Case For and Against a Brave(s) Move
The Case FOR Exploring Waivers/Trade:
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Payroll Relief for 2025: The biggest incentive. Declining his $16M option and moving on frees up significant resources to address glaring needs in the starting rotation, outfield, or bullpen.
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Roster Flexibility: Freeing the DH spot allows manager Brian Snitker to rotate players like Travis d’Arnaud, Sean Murphy, or others through for rest, keeping bats fresh.
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Sunk Cost Fallacy: The $18 million for 2024 is already spent. The decision must be purely about 2025 and whether $16 million can be better allocated. Letting sentimentality dictate can hamstring a contender.
Case AGAINST a Waiver Move:
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Persistent Power: Even in a “down” year, Ozuna’s home run and RBI production is well above average. Replacing that power externally is expensive and uncertain.
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Clubhouse Presence: By all accounts, Ozuna is a popular and positive voice in the clubhouse. Disrupting that chemistry mid-chase is risky.
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The Qualifying Offer Non-Issue: To clarify a common question: Did Marcell Ozuna get a qualifying offer? No, he did not receive one from the Braves after the 2019 season because he was ineligible, having already received and rejected one from the St. Louis Cardinals the previous year.
FAQs: Answering Your Pressing Questions
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Are the Braves getting rid of Ozuna? Not immediately. A mid-season release is highly unlikely barring a complete collapse. The decision will come in the offseason regarding his 2025 option.
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Why did the Braves let Travis d’Arnaud go? This is a common misconception. The Braves did not let d’Arnaud go. He remains a crucial part of the team as the backup catcher and a respected leader. They did trade catcher William Contreras to create room for Sean Murphy.
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Did the Braves decline Tyler Kinley’s option? Tyler Kinley is a reliever for the Colorado Rockies. The Braves have never been involved with his contract options. This seems to be a case of name confusion.
Conclusion: The Likely Path Forward
The most probable outcome is that the Braves ride out 2024 with Marcell Ozuna. His power bat is still a tangible asset in a lineup missing its former dynamism. The true Braves Marcell Ozuna waiver candidate decision point arrives this winter.
General Manager Alex Anthopoulos will have to perform a cold-hearted valuation: Does Ozuna’s projected 2025 production justify a $16 million commitment, or can that money be spent more effectively to build a more balanced, flexible, and defensively sound team?
If the answer is no, expect Anthopoulos to explore a trade, perhaps even eating some salary to facilitate a deal. A straight release is a last resort, but it remains on the table. The Braves’ front office has proven it operates without sentiment, always prioritizing the long-term health of the franchise over any single player’s contract.