Marcell Ozuna Reportedly Unlikely to Accept Cardinals Qualifying Offer
By Parker White
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna was one of 10 players to receive a qualifying offer before entering the free agent market.
Ozuna looked like one of a few who might actually accept the one-year, $17.8 million deal, but according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, it's believed that the 28-year-old slugger is going to decline it and test the market.
Word is, Marcell Ozuna very unlikely to take the $17.8M qualifying offer. Middle of order hitter believed to have nice market. Had been seen as one of only maybe 3-4 players of the 10 to receive the offer with even remote chance to accept the QO.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 9, 2019
Ozuna is a right-handed power bat who can hit over 30 homers and drive in 100 runs at his best, but after an MVP-caliber season with the Miami Marlins in 2017, he hasn't been as productive in his two seasons with the Cardinals.
Last season, Ozuna only slashed .241/.328/.472 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs.
Marcell Ozuna "Very Unlikely" To Accept Qualifying Offer https://t.co/F3LVEMCgzI pic.twitter.com/1tRIKaHosm
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 9, 2019
Even though Ozuna is a streaky hitter who doesn't play good defense, he must feel like there are plenty of teams looking for his services on the free agent market. Whether he can get more than $17.8 million per season remains to be seen, though a multi-year deal would offer him long-term security.