Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna has been a frequent subject of rumors this offseason, and it appears one team has emerged as a potential landing spot.
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reported Tuesday evening that the Seattle Mariners are discussing a deal to acquire outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the Miami Marlins. Beat reporter Joe Frisaro of MLB.com added that the Marlins are currently “fielding a lot of calls” on Ozuna but is not sure anything is imminent.
The Mariners, who have the young controllable starting pitching the Marlins are looking for, could move one or more of a group that includes left-handers Roenis Elias and James Paxton, and right-handers Taijuan Walker and Nate Karns.
Ozuna, who turned 25 this month, had an up-and-down year with the Marlins that included a mid-season demotion to the minor leagues. That decision led to a gigantic and public rift between Ozuna’s agent Scott Boras and owner Jeffrey Loria who reportedly wants Ozuna off the team.
Ozuna, who is under team control through the 2019, hit .259/.308/.383 with 10 homers and 44 RBIs for the Marlins in 2015. But the right-handed slugger rebounded nicely after he was recalled from the minors and posted a .789 OPS with 13 doubles, six home runs, 18 RBI and 20 runs scored in his final 162 at-bats of the season.
