With only two weeks left until pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training for the 2021 MLB season, there are still a handful of big-name free agents that still haven’t signed a deal with a new team.

The market has changed throughout the winter, with teams having filled roster holes that might have been open back in November, and other possibilities for free agents opening up thanks to non-tenders and trades.

Let’s take a look at the three biggest free agent names still left unsigned, evaluate their markets, and choose a new home for them.

Trevor Bauer

The biggest name left on the market is 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner, who dazzled as arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball last season.

Bauer has long been an enigma, and has upped his status as a unique figure in the game by stating that he wants to start every fourth game with whatever club he signs for.

It’s clear that Bauer wants to go to a forward-thinking team, and there are plenty of franchises with money to spend and holes in their rotations where he could be a fit. Despite theoretically having enough starting pitching, the Dodgers have been reported to be getting in the fray as a potential destination for the California native.

We think that Bauer, however, will end up across town. We predict that he signs with the Los Angeles Angels on a five-year contract worth $175 million, a team that is so desperate for starting pitching that they might just consider his fourth-day proposal.

Marcell Ozuna

It’s hard for many to believe that Marcell Ozuna, one of the best consistent right-handed power bats in the league, still has not found a new home.

Despite the uncertainty related to the implementation (or not) of a universal DH in 2021, the 30-year-old star, should theoretically fit for any team with a hole in the middle of its lineup. Ozuna isn’t a great fielder, but he is passable in left field and doesn’t necessarily have to be a DH.

We think that Ozuna likely will not return to the Braves team where he thrived in 2020 thanks to their reticence to give out multi-year deals to free agents. Ozuna, we predict, will instead head to the Seattle Mariners for three years and $75 million as they look to compete with an exciting young core.

Justin Turner

The long-time Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman might be getting up there in age, but what is undeniable is that he provides consistent production at third base and would be a great addition to most lineups.

Will Turner stick around in Los Angeles, where he resurged as a player after a mediocre run with the Mets?

We find it difficult to imagine him playing anywhere else, even though there does seem to be a gap between the two sides, with Turner wanting a four-year deal and the Dodgers only offering two. How about they split the gap, with Turner heading back to the Dodgers on a three-year contract worth $60 million?

The post Re-Evaluating the Top MLB Free Agents Left on the Market appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Despite a debut 2020 season in Atlanta which saw him come close to winning the National League Triple Crown, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that outfielder/DH Marcell Ozuna is looking likely to sign elsewhere in free agency.

Olney says that there is very little chance that the burly outfielder, who hit .338 with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs in a monster season for the Braves, will re-ink with his 2020 team thanks to their organizational wariness to sign veteran players to long-term deals, which he is seeking.

Ozuna is dealing with the handicap of teams not knowing whether the designated hitter will be used in both leagues next season. If it is, NL teams would be more likely to give a long-term deal to the Dominican slugger, whose defense has gone downhill in recent seasons.

The White Sox, Blue Jays, Mets, and Giants have been some of the teams that are reportedly interesting in adding Ozuna this offseason, who is reportedly looking for at least a four-year contract.

It remains to be seen, however, whether or not a team will be willing to offer him that sort of deal based on diminished revenues following a COVID-19-affected 2020 campaign.

Spring Training gets underway next month, and it appears that Ozuna will not be with the Braves when that time comes despite his success with the team last season.

The post Braves Looking Unlikely to Re-Sign Marcell Ozuna appeared first on SportzBonanza.

MLB’s free agency period has begun and the league is beginning to see some minor deals made as some of the less notable names in the league begin to sign deals with new teams.

The big fish are yet to find a new home, however, as all five of our top free agents of the 2020-21 offseason are still out in the market.

What teams would be the best fits for these players? Let’s select a destination for this offseason’s cream of the crop.

JT Realmuto

Realmuto is arguably the most attractive free agent on the market this offseason, a true five-tool player who is among the best hitters at the catcher position in the entire league.

At the age of only 29 and with many productive years left to come, he’s in line for a big deal. Who can afford him and has needs at the catcher position? While the Phillies might want to retain him, the Mets under new ownership and with big plans can offer him an attractive proposal that would see him leave for an NL East rival.

Prediction: New York Mets

Trevor Bauer

The 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner previously stated that he would prefer to exclusively sign one-year deals as a free agent, but backtracked on his word earlier this year.

The Southern California native has spent most of his time playing in Ohio, and a return to his home with the pitching-starved and big-budget Angels makes an awful lot of sense. New GM Perry Minasian has stated that believes the team is on the verge of contention and Bauer could be the missing ingredient.

Prediction: Los Angeles Angels

George Springer

George Springer silenced many of his doubters after the Astros cheating scandal broke last offseason, having another successful season while manning center field for Houston. He shook off a slow start to hit .265 with 14 home runs and played typically good defense in center.

Houston would be awfully short on outfield depth if they don’t re-sign Springer, and let’s be honest–they have the money to do so, and Springer feels at home there. A return to the Astros makes the most sense for all parties involved.

Prediction: Houston Astros

Marcell Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna was one of the sensations of the 2020 season, coming within striking distance of the NL Triple Crown after an outstanding season on a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Both the Braves and Ozuna seemed happy with their marriage, but will the contending Braves shell out big for a free agent for the first time over the past decade? With uncertainty over the DH next season in the National League, a team that’s looking to contend like the White Sox with both outfield and DH openings makes more sense for the slugger.

Prediction: Chicago White Sox

DJ LeMahieu

While DJ LeMahieu might technically be a free agent, it sure would seem odd for him to do anything but stay in the Bronx.

After joining the Yankees from the Rockies in 2019, the versatile infielder has become a fan favorite and taken his hitting ability to a new level. Yankee Stadium is the perfect place for LeMahieu to hit and the big-money team would be left with a huge hole on its roster were the Louisiana native to leave. Expect him to stick around.

Prediction: New York Yankees

The post Picking a Destination for MLB’s Top Free Agents appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Major League Baseball’s free agency period kicked off last week as 147 different Major Leaguers around the league saw their contracts expire.

Plenty of those players will find new homes over the offseason, looking to make impacts wherever they sign. So, which of these players will be the most hotly-contested assets and the most valuable additions? Here is the ranking of our top five.

1. JT Realmuto, Catcher

JT Realmuto has emerged as the best all-around catcher in the game of baseball over the past five seasons. Traded from the Marlins to the Phillies prior to the 2019 season, he continued to produce and put up huge defensive numbers. Realmuto’s 2020 was his best at the plate, as he put up a career-high .349 OBP and hit for a career-high .225 isolated power figure.

Realmuto can do it all, and his importance at baseball’s most demanding position cannot be overstated. Despite the deflated post-COVID-19 market, he’s in line for a multiple-year deal worth a lot of money.

2. Trevor Bauer, Starting Pitcher

Trevor Bauer is a polarizing figure in the league, using his social media clout to build his own brand and pick fights with everyone from commissioner Rob Manfred to fellow players.

What can’t be denied is that he took a huge step forward in 2020 with the Reds, turning himself into an elite starting pitcher with huge strikeout numbers and a 1.73 ERA. Whether Bauer is more of that type of pitcher or more of the type that saw him post a 4.48 ERA in 2019 is yet to be determined, but the odds-on favorite for NL Cy Young Award is undoubtedly tantalizing.

3. George Springer, Center Fielder

Are you looking for consistently good play in center field and big offensive productions? Plenty of GMs will be this offseason, and no one fits the bill better than long-time Astros outfielder George Springer.

He hasn’t had a bad offensive year since his debut in 2014, ranking sixteenth in home runs and thirty-eighth in OBP among qualified hitters in that stretch. Springer isn’t quite a superstar, but he’s a perennial All-Star caliber player who should continue to produce over the next few seasons. He’ll be in high demand.

4. Marcell Ozuna, Left Fielder/DH

Marcell Ozuna is one of the most difficult-to-read players on the free agent list this offseason. His career has been a roller coaster ride, as he burst onto the scene as one of baseball’s top young talents in 2017 before having two decent but not great seasons in St. Louis.

He reminded everyone why he was so heralded in 2020, absolutely crushing the baseball with the Braves after signing a one-year deal. Playing mostly as a DH (something to watch, as his outfield play has worsened in recent years), he crushed 18 home runs (3rd in MLB) and hit .338 as part of Atlanta’s deadly 1-2 punch with Freddie Freeman. He is much like Bauer, but as a position player: can teams count on something resembling a 2020 Ozuna, or will he simply be just an above-average piece?

5. DJ LeMahieu, Infielder

DJ LeMahieu might be turning 33 next year, but there’s no doubt that the man can hit. In fact, in five of the past six seasons, he has hit over .300 and he took home the MLB batting crown in 2020 on the back of a .364 average.

It remains to be seen recent power surge is more of a product of improvement or playing at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium, but the team that signs LeMahieu can count on a player who will get on base plenty while providing solid defense at a variety of positions, including first, second, and third base. He’s an ideal top-of-the-lineup hitter and some team will be lucky to have him.

The post Ranking MLB’s Top Free Agents This Offseason appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Braves’ wins over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday and Wednesday might not have seemed like a big deal at first glance, but Braves outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall combined to make history during the dog days of summer.

Ozuna and Duvall became the first teammates in the history of Major League Baseball to hit three home runs in back-to-back games, an astonishing feat considering the 117-year history of the world’s premier baseball league.

Ozuna got the party started on Tuesday night in the Braves’ 10-3 win, going yard off of Ryan Weber, Robert Stock, and Kyle Hart and driving in a total of six runs.

On Wednesday, Duvall was the Braves’ main offensive threat in a 7-5 triumph that saw him blast two-run bombs off of Mike Kickham and Andrew Triggs as well as a solo shot in the eighth inning off of Ryan Brasier to give the Braves insurance.

Amazingly, the home run that gave the Braves the lead earlier in the game came off of the bat of none other than Marcell Ozuna.

The Braves will look to extend their streak of three home run games to three on Friday as they host the Washington Nationals.

The post Braves’ Ozuna, Duvall Become First Players in History to Hit 3 HR in Back-to-Back Games appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After failing to retain the third baseman Josh Donaldson, who opted to join Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves reacted swiftly and inked two-time All-Star left fielder Marcell Ozuna. Reportedly, Ozuna signed a one-year, $18 million deal with the organization.

The move was officially confirmed on Wednesday on Braves’ social media.

Ozuna, who spent the last two seasons with St. Louis Cardinals, played 130 games in 2019. He finished the regular season hitting .243 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs. He has .263 batting average and 52 homers throughout his stint with Cardinals.

“He ran into some bad luck last year,” said Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos after the deal was done. “We think there’s a lot more in there. We think he can rebound to the season he had with the Marlins in 2017.”

Ozuna is expected to fill the void in the middle of the lineup that was left with Donaldson’s departure. Also, the one-year deal enables the team flexibility to consider other long-term options if the 29-year-old doesn’t deliver.

“This was just another chance to add another big power bat,” Anthopoulos added. “The focus wasn’t on getting an outfielder or a cleanup hitter. Our focus is just getting good hitters and good players.”

Marcell Ozuna made his MLB debut in 2013 with Miami Marlins. Over the course of his time in Miami, Ozuna had two All-Star appearances in 2016 and 2017, while also winning Gold Globe and Silver Slugger awards.

Ozuna’s career stats include .273 batting average, 148 homers, and 538 RBIs.

The post Braves Ink Marcell Ozuna on a 1-Year, $18 Million Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

With only two weeks left until pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training for the 2021 MLB season, there are still a handful of big-name free agents that still haven’t signed a deal with a new team.

The market has changed throughout the winter, with teams having filled roster holes that might have been open back in November, and other possibilities for free agents opening up thanks to non-tenders and trades.

Let’s take a look at the three biggest free agent names still left unsigned, evaluate their markets, and choose a new home for them.

Trevor Bauer

The biggest name left on the market is 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner, who dazzled as arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball last season.

Bauer has long been an enigma, and has upped his status as a unique figure in the game by stating that he wants to start every fourth game with whatever club he signs for.

It’s clear that Bauer wants to go to a forward-thinking team, and there are plenty of franchises with money to spend and holes in their rotations where he could be a fit. Despite theoretically having enough starting pitching, the Dodgers have been reported to be getting in the fray as a potential destination for the California native.

We think that Bauer, however, will end up across town. We predict that he signs with the Los Angeles Angels on a five-year contract worth $175 million, a team that is so desperate for starting pitching that they might just consider his fourth-day proposal.

Marcell Ozuna

It’s hard for many to believe that Marcell Ozuna, one of the best consistent right-handed power bats in the league, still has not found a new home.

Despite the uncertainty related to the implementation (or not) of a universal DH in 2021, the 30-year-old star, should theoretically fit for any team with a hole in the middle of its lineup. Ozuna isn’t a great fielder, but he is passable in left field and doesn’t necessarily have to be a DH.

We think that Ozuna likely will not return to the Braves team where he thrived in 2020 thanks to their reticence to give out multi-year deals to free agents. Ozuna, we predict, will instead head to the Seattle Mariners for three years and $75 million as they look to compete with an exciting young core.

Justin Turner

The long-time Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman might be getting up there in age, but what is undeniable is that he provides consistent production at third base and would be a great addition to most lineups.

Will Turner stick around in Los Angeles, where he resurged as a player after a mediocre run with the Mets?

We find it difficult to imagine him playing anywhere else, even though there does seem to be a gap between the two sides, with Turner wanting a four-year deal and the Dodgers only offering two. How about they split the gap, with Turner heading back to the Dodgers on a three-year contract worth $60 million?

The post Re-Evaluating the Top MLB Free Agents Left on the Market appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Despite a debut 2020 season in Atlanta which saw him come close to winning the National League Triple Crown, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that outfielder/DH Marcell Ozuna is looking likely to sign elsewhere in free agency.

Olney says that there is very little chance that the burly outfielder, who hit .338 with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs in a monster season for the Braves, will re-ink with his 2020 team thanks to their organizational wariness to sign veteran players to long-term deals, which he is seeking.

Ozuna is dealing with the handicap of teams not knowing whether the designated hitter will be used in both leagues next season. If it is, NL teams would be more likely to give a long-term deal to the Dominican slugger, whose defense has gone downhill in recent seasons.

The White Sox, Blue Jays, Mets, and Giants have been some of the teams that are reportedly interesting in adding Ozuna this offseason, who is reportedly looking for at least a four-year contract.

It remains to be seen, however, whether or not a team will be willing to offer him that sort of deal based on diminished revenues following a COVID-19-affected 2020 campaign.

Spring Training gets underway next month, and it appears that Ozuna will not be with the Braves when that time comes despite his success with the team last season.

The post Braves Looking Unlikely to Re-Sign Marcell Ozuna appeared first on SportzBonanza.

MLB’s free agency period has begun and the league is beginning to see some minor deals made as some of the less notable names in the league begin to sign deals with new teams.

The big fish are yet to find a new home, however, as all five of our top free agents of the 2020-21 offseason are still out in the market.

What teams would be the best fits for these players? Let’s select a destination for this offseason’s cream of the crop.

JT Realmuto

Realmuto is arguably the most attractive free agent on the market this offseason, a true five-tool player who is among the best hitters at the catcher position in the entire league.

At the age of only 29 and with many productive years left to come, he’s in line for a big deal. Who can afford him and has needs at the catcher position? While the Phillies might want to retain him, the Mets under new ownership and with big plans can offer him an attractive proposal that would see him leave for an NL East rival.

Prediction: New York Mets

Trevor Bauer

The 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner previously stated that he would prefer to exclusively sign one-year deals as a free agent, but backtracked on his word earlier this year.

The Southern California native has spent most of his time playing in Ohio, and a return to his home with the pitching-starved and big-budget Angels makes an awful lot of sense. New GM Perry Minasian has stated that believes the team is on the verge of contention and Bauer could be the missing ingredient.

Prediction: Los Angeles Angels

George Springer

George Springer silenced many of his doubters after the Astros cheating scandal broke last offseason, having another successful season while manning center field for Houston. He shook off a slow start to hit .265 with 14 home runs and played typically good defense in center.

Houston would be awfully short on outfield depth if they don’t re-sign Springer, and let’s be honest–they have the money to do so, and Springer feels at home there. A return to the Astros makes the most sense for all parties involved.

Prediction: Houston Astros

Marcell Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna was one of the sensations of the 2020 season, coming within striking distance of the NL Triple Crown after an outstanding season on a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Both the Braves and Ozuna seemed happy with their marriage, but will the contending Braves shell out big for a free agent for the first time over the past decade? With uncertainty over the DH next season in the National League, a team that’s looking to contend like the White Sox with both outfield and DH openings makes more sense for the slugger.

Prediction: Chicago White Sox

DJ LeMahieu

While DJ LeMahieu might technically be a free agent, it sure would seem odd for him to do anything but stay in the Bronx.

After joining the Yankees from the Rockies in 2019, the versatile infielder has become a fan favorite and taken his hitting ability to a new level. Yankee Stadium is the perfect place for LeMahieu to hit and the big-money team would be left with a huge hole on its roster were the Louisiana native to leave. Expect him to stick around.

Prediction: New York Yankees

The post Picking a Destination for MLB’s Top Free Agents appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Major League Baseball’s free agency period kicked off last week as 147 different Major Leaguers around the league saw their contracts expire.

Plenty of those players will find new homes over the offseason, looking to make impacts wherever they sign. So, which of these players will be the most hotly-contested assets and the most valuable additions? Here is the ranking of our top five.

1. JT Realmuto, Catcher

JT Realmuto has emerged as the best all-around catcher in the game of baseball over the past five seasons. Traded from the Marlins to the Phillies prior to the 2019 season, he continued to produce and put up huge defensive numbers. Realmuto’s 2020 was his best at the plate, as he put up a career-high .349 OBP and hit for a career-high .225 isolated power figure.

Realmuto can do it all, and his importance at baseball’s most demanding position cannot be overstated. Despite the deflated post-COVID-19 market, he’s in line for a multiple-year deal worth a lot of money.

2. Trevor Bauer, Starting Pitcher

Trevor Bauer is a polarizing figure in the league, using his social media clout to build his own brand and pick fights with everyone from commissioner Rob Manfred to fellow players.

What can’t be denied is that he took a huge step forward in 2020 with the Reds, turning himself into an elite starting pitcher with huge strikeout numbers and a 1.73 ERA. Whether Bauer is more of that type of pitcher or more of the type that saw him post a 4.48 ERA in 2019 is yet to be determined, but the odds-on favorite for NL Cy Young Award is undoubtedly tantalizing.

3. George Springer, Center Fielder

Are you looking for consistently good play in center field and big offensive productions? Plenty of GMs will be this offseason, and no one fits the bill better than long-time Astros outfielder George Springer.

He hasn’t had a bad offensive year since his debut in 2014, ranking sixteenth in home runs and thirty-eighth in OBP among qualified hitters in that stretch. Springer isn’t quite a superstar, but he’s a perennial All-Star caliber player who should continue to produce over the next few seasons. He’ll be in high demand.

4. Marcell Ozuna, Left Fielder/DH

Marcell Ozuna is one of the most difficult-to-read players on the free agent list this offseason. His career has been a roller coaster ride, as he burst onto the scene as one of baseball’s top young talents in 2017 before having two decent but not great seasons in St. Louis.

He reminded everyone why he was so heralded in 2020, absolutely crushing the baseball with the Braves after signing a one-year deal. Playing mostly as a DH (something to watch, as his outfield play has worsened in recent years), he crushed 18 home runs (3rd in MLB) and hit .338 as part of Atlanta’s deadly 1-2 punch with Freddie Freeman. He is much like Bauer, but as a position player: can teams count on something resembling a 2020 Ozuna, or will he simply be just an above-average piece?

5. DJ LeMahieu, Infielder

DJ LeMahieu might be turning 33 next year, but there’s no doubt that the man can hit. In fact, in five of the past six seasons, he has hit over .300 and he took home the MLB batting crown in 2020 on the back of a .364 average.

It remains to be seen recent power surge is more of a product of improvement or playing at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium, but the team that signs LeMahieu can count on a player who will get on base plenty while providing solid defense at a variety of positions, including first, second, and third base. He’s an ideal top-of-the-lineup hitter and some team will be lucky to have him.

The post Ranking MLB’s Top Free Agents This Offseason appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Atlanta Braves’ wins over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday and Wednesday might not have seemed like a big deal at first glance, but Braves outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall combined to make history during the dog days of summer.

Ozuna and Duvall became the first teammates in the history of Major League Baseball to hit three home runs in back-to-back games, an astonishing feat considering the 117-year history of the world’s premier baseball league.

Ozuna got the party started on Tuesday night in the Braves’ 10-3 win, going yard off of Ryan Weber, Robert Stock, and Kyle Hart and driving in a total of six runs.

On Wednesday, Duvall was the Braves’ main offensive threat in a 7-5 triumph that saw him blast two-run bombs off of Mike Kickham and Andrew Triggs as well as a solo shot in the eighth inning off of Ryan Brasier to give the Braves insurance.

Amazingly, the home run that gave the Braves the lead earlier in the game came off of the bat of none other than Marcell Ozuna.

The Braves will look to extend their streak of three home run games to three on Friday as they host the Washington Nationals.

The post Braves’ Ozuna, Duvall Become First Players in History to Hit 3 HR in Back-to-Back Games appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After failing to retain the third baseman Josh Donaldson, who opted to join Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves reacted swiftly and inked two-time All-Star left fielder Marcell Ozuna. Reportedly, Ozuna signed a one-year, $18 million deal with the organization.

The move was officially confirmed on Wednesday on Braves’ social media.

Ozuna, who spent the last two seasons with St. Louis Cardinals, played 130 games in 2019. He finished the regular season hitting .243 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs. He has .263 batting average and 52 homers throughout his stint with Cardinals.

“He ran into some bad luck last year,” said Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos after the deal was done. “We think there’s a lot more in there. We think he can rebound to the season he had with the Marlins in 2017.”

Ozuna is expected to fill the void in the middle of the lineup that was left with Donaldson’s departure. Also, the one-year deal enables the team flexibility to consider other long-term options if the 29-year-old doesn’t deliver.

“This was just another chance to add another big power bat,” Anthopoulos added. “The focus wasn’t on getting an outfielder or a cleanup hitter. Our focus is just getting good hitters and good players.”

Marcell Ozuna made his MLB debut in 2013 with Miami Marlins. Over the course of his time in Miami, Ozuna had two All-Star appearances in 2016 and 2017, while also winning Gold Globe and Silver Slugger awards.

Ozuna’s career stats include .273 batting average, 148 homers, and 538 RBIs.

The post Braves Ink Marcell Ozuna on a 1-Year, $18 Million Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.