UPDATE: The Rangers could be making some progress.
Source: #Marlins have discussed OF Marcell Ozuna with #Rangers for RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez and perhaps another piece.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) January 6, 2016
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Trade rumors have surrounded Miami Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna for quite a while. The 25-year-old appeared to be one of the top young players in the MLB during the 2014 season, but he was demoted to the minors for a good portion of 2015. Still, there's much interest in the outfielder.
Earlier today it was reported the Texas Rangers were talking to the Marlins about a trade for Ozuna, but Bob Nightengale of USA Today said it "may be a longshot." However, there's apparently much more action than that.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports says the market on Ozuna is "moving fast" and that Miami has spoken with "multiple teams, including one West Coast team recently."
Ozuna hit .269/.317/.455 with 72 runs scored, 23 home runs and 85 RBI in 2014, but took a step back in 2015 when he hit .249/.301/.337 with 27 runs scored, 4 home runs and 26 RBI during the first half of the season before he was demoted to Triple-A.
However, it's no surprise many teams are inquiring on Ozuna due to his age and high ceiling. He's under club control through 2019 and the fact that he plays center field is another plus. According to past rumors, the Marlins have had much interest in trading Ozuna, but that doesn't mean they're going to merely give him away. Nightengale says the team is asking for a big return.
Miami is also on bad terms with Ozuna's agent, Scott Boras, as the two sides have had a straining relationship recently. Boras was openly critical of the team's handling of Ozuna when he was demoted to Triple-A and there have since been some issues with one of his other clients, Jose Fernandez. The right-hander has rejected multiple contract offers from the Marlins within the past year and the team has openly stated Boras will not be involved in any innings-limit discussions for Fernandez next season as he is about a year and a half removed from Tommy John surgery.
Nonetheless, it's interesting to think what West Coast team could be asking for Ozuna, assuming he's still going to play center field. The Angels, Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, Mariners and Athletics all have center fielders for the 2016 season. However, the Rangers also have a center fielder in Delino DeShields, so maybe other teams are considering moving Ozuna to left or right, where he has minimal experience during his first three MLB seasons.
If that's the case, then the Angels and Giants would be fits since both clubs are in desperate need of a left fielder. And then, there's a really cool scenario to ponder: what if the Dodgers are attempting to orchestrate a blockbuster deal where they acquire both Ozuna and Fernandez from Miami? They were previously the most mentioned as one of the top suitors in the event the Marlins were to part ways with Fernandez.
Then again, rival evaluators previously said the Dodgers didn't have enough to get Fernandez based on what the Marlins were asking for, so to get Ozuna and Fernandez would cost much more.
Still, it's the Dodgers. Anything can happen. Maybe they include Joc Pederson in the deal to entice the Marlins.
Stay tuned for updates on Ozuna.
