The Atlanta Braves boast one of the strongest foundations in MLB, aiming for their seventh consecutive playoff appearance with six NL East titles during that span.
With standout players like Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider, and Matt Olson, the team features several top-tier talents who deserve significant salaries and long-term contracts. Atlanta has largely excelled at securing their key players, and now they have the chance to continue building on that success.
Three-time All-Star Marcell Ozuna has been with the organization for five years. He’s still one of the sport’s best hitters but is in the final year of his contract, and according to him, he wants to spend the rest of his career as a Brave.
Braves Star Marcell Ozuna Wants to Spend Rest of Career in Atlanta
In a conversation with Justin Toscano of The Atlantic Journal-Constitution, Ozuna was asked directly what it would mean to sign an extension and stay with Atlanta.
“It would mean a lot because I don’t want to be jumping around — play this year for the Braves and then next year play for somebody else, and then the year after the next year play for someone (else),” Ozuna told Toscano. “I want to keep in one spot most of the time.”
Atlanta would certainly be better off with the 34-year-old slugger in the lineup. As Toscano notes, “Since May 1, 2023, Ozuna’s 77 homers rank fourth in baseball — behind only Shohei Ohtani (91), Aaron Judge (89), and Kyle Schwarber (79). Ozuna ranks fifth with 202 RBIs over that span. And in that time, his .944 OPS is sixth in the sport.”
The Atlanta Braves have one of the strongest foundations in MLB, aiming for their seventh consecutive playoff appearance, backed by six NL East titles during that stretch.
With key players like Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider, and Matt Olson, the team is filled with top talent deserving of lucrative contracts and long-term deals. Atlanta has done a great job securing their core players, and now they have an opportunity to continue nurturing those relationships.
Marcell Ozuna, a three-time All-Star, has been with the Braves for five years. Still one of the league’s premier hitters, he’s in the final year of his contract. Ozuna has expressed his desire to finish his career in Atlanta. In a conversation with Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Ozuna explained that staying in one place is important to him. “It would mean a lot because I don’t want to be jumping around — play this year for the Braves and then next year play for somebody else,” he said. “I want to keep in one spot most of the time.”
Ozuna’s presence in the lineup would be a major asset to the Braves. As Toscano points out, since May 1, 2023, Ozuna’s 77 home runs rank fourth in MLB, behind only Shohei Ohtani (91), Aaron Judge (89), and Kyle Schwarber (79). He also ranks fifth with 202 RBIs during that period, and his .944 OPS places him sixth in the league.
Replacing Ozuna’s production would be a tough task. Atlanta picked up his $16 million club option for this year, but he would become a free agent in 2026 if no extension is reached. Ozuna ranks in the 96th percentile for hard-hit percentage and 98th for expected slugging percentage at Baseball Savant, meaning many teams would likely pursue him if the Braves don’t act. Ozuna is eager to stay, and for Atlanta’s sake, let’s hope the front office shares that desire.
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