Sports
Braves Marcell Ozuna Waiver Candidate: The Full Story Behind the Rumors
“Braves Marcell Ozuna waiver candidate” became a major talking point during the 2025 MLB season, as the Atlanta Braves struggled to stay in postseason contention and veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna experienced a noticeable decline in performance. However, despite widespread speculation, Ozuna was never placed on waivers by the Braves. Instead, he finished the season in Atlanta before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Here’s the complete story behind the waiver rumors and what happened next.
Why Marcell Ozuna Became a Waiver Candidate in 2025
Entering the 2025 season, Marcell Ozuna was one of the most accomplished hitters in the National League. A three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and 2024 NL MVP finalist, Ozuna was expected to remain a key part of Atlanta’s lineup.
However, his production dropped significantly after a strong start.
Factors Behind the Waiver Speculation
- Batting line: .235/.360/.389
- 13 home runs
- 42 RBIs
- Playing through a hip injury
- Final year of a $16 million contract
- Braves fell to a 76-86 record, finishing well out of playoff position
As Atlanta’s season unraveled, outlets such as Bleacher Report identified Ozuna as a potential waiver candidate. Reports from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal also suggested the Braves were open to discussing both Ozuna and reliever Raisel Iglesias in trade talks.
The Truth: Atlanta Never Placed Ozuna on Waivers
Despite months of speculation, one fact remains clear:
The Braves never placed Marcell Ozuna on waivers during the 2025 season.
What Actually Happened
- Ozuna remained on Atlanta’s active roster.
- Appeared in 145 games.
- No official waiver transaction was announced.
- Finished the season with the Braves.
- Entered free agency when his contract expired.
Braves executives believed Ozuna’s hip issues played a major role in his decline, while the coaching staff preferred maintaining flexibility at the designated hitter position.
Manager Walt Weiss reportedly valued rotating players through the DH spot to provide additional rest opportunities.
Ozuna’s 10-and-5 Rights Gave Him Control
One of the biggest factors limiting Atlanta’s options was Ozuna’s 10-and-5 rights.
Under MLB rules, players with:
- 10 years of Major League service
- 5 consecutive years with the same team
can veto any trade.
Trade Deadline Reality
- Braves explored possible deals before July 31, 2025.
- Atlanta reportedly received offers it did not like.
- Some reports suggested Ozuna preferred staying in Atlanta.
- Bob Nightengale reported Ozuna would consider trades that guaranteed everyday playing time.
Ultimately, neither Ozuna nor Iglesias was moved before the deadline.
Marcell Ozuna’s Move to Pittsburgh in 2026
After reaching free agency, Ozuna signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Contract Details
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $10.5 Million |
| Buyout | $1.5 Million |
| 2027 Mutual Option | $16 Million |
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Ozuna’s struggles continued.
Early 2026 Performance
- .160 batting average
- .470 OPS
- 32 OPS+
- -0.9 bWAR through 25 games
ESPN analyst David Schoenfield described the situation bluntly:
“Did I think they’d be this bad? No.”
The Pirates hoped Ozuna could recapture his 2023-2024 form, but early results suggested otherwise.
How the Braves Replaced Ozuna
Rather than re-signing Ozuna, Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos chose a more flexible approach.
Atlanta’s DH Options in 2026
- Drake Baldwin
- Dominic Smith
- Kyle Farmer
Among the replacements, Dominic Smith emerged as a standout performer.
Smith’s Early Production
- .344 batting average
- 4 home runs
- .931 OPS
The Braves also redirected payroll toward other roster improvements, including:
- Robert Suarez
- Mike Yastrzemski
- Raisel Iglesias
- Ha-Seong Kim
What the Waiver Candidate Label Really Means
Many fans misunderstood the term “waiver candidate.”
Being labeled a waiver candidate does not mean a player will automatically be placed on waivers.
Why Teams Consider Waivers
- Payroll flexibility
- Roster management
- Evaluating trade possibilities
- Opening opportunities for younger players
In Ozuna’s case, analysts viewed waivers as a possibility because of his contract, age, declining production, and Atlanta’s disappointing season.
However, no waiver move ever occurred.
Bottom Line: The Braves Made the Right Decision
The Braves Marcell Ozuna waiver candidate storyline generated plenty of headlines throughout 2025, but it never resulted in an actual transaction. Ozuna remained with Atlanta through the end of his contract, finishing 2025 with 21 home runs and a .232 batting average before departing in free agency.
After producing 3.4 bWAR in 2023 and 4.3 bWAR in 2024, Ozuna declined to 1.6 bWAR in 2025, and his struggles continued into 2026 with Pittsburgh.
As Alex Anthopoulos has noted, designated hitters remain valuable when they consistently produce elite power numbers. By 2026, Atlanta determined Ozuna was no longer that player.
The waiver rumors were real, but the Braves never acted on them. In hindsight, both sides benefited from a clean separation, and Atlanta’s decision to move forward appears to have been the right one.