Cardinals extend Ozuna qualifying offer
ST. LOUIS -- Though the Cardinals haven¡¯t publicly indicated whether they¡¯ll explore bringing Marcell Ozuna back under a multiyear deal, the club has extended a one-year qualifying offer to the outfielder.
Ozuna was one of 10 players across Major League Baseball to receive a qualifying offer -- worth $17.8 million for 2020 -- ahead of Monday¡¯s 4 p.m. CT deadline. Ozuna, a free agent for the first time in his career, now has 10 days to decide whether to accept it.
If he were to do so, the one-year deal becomes binding, and the Cardinals no longer have to look for a replacement in left field. If Ozuna declines, as seems likely, he¡¯ll continue to explore his value on the free-agent market. Should he sign elsewhere, the Cards would receive a compensatory pick after Competitive Balance Round B in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Acquired from the Marlins in a December 2017 trade, Ozuna served as the Cardinals¡¯ starting left fielder each of the past two seasons. While his defensive skills waned following a Gold Glove Award-winning season in Miami, he did provide a needed power bat for the middle of the Cards¡¯ lineup.
Over two years, Ozuna slashed .262/.329/.455 with 52 homers and 177 RBIs in 278 games. He was building a case for an All-Star bid this summer when a fractured right middle finger stalled his strong start. Ozuna, who missed 28 games while on the injured list, posted a .729 OPS upon returning.
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¡°I describe my year as not bad, not good. Just average. I grinded,¡± Ozuna said after the Cards were eliminated by the Nationals in the National League Championship Series. ¡°After I got hurt, [I] had a lot of things going in my head. I said, ¡®Let¡¯s get recovered and come back and do the best for my team.¡¯ That¡¯s all I can do.¡±
In that same interview, Ozuna once again expressed interest in a reunion with the Cardinals, even though conversations between the two sides had not yet materialized.
¡°Right now, I would feel amazing if they brought me back. I would love it,¡± Ozuna said last month. ¡°I played for St. Louis for two years, and it was a good experience. The fans, I love the fans. I love everyone in St. Louis. It¡¯s up to them.¡±
If the Cardinals move on from Ozuna, they¡¯ll likely consider internal and external candidates to fill the vacancy in left field. They¡¯ll also have to determine how best to replace his production from the cleanup spot.