Kansas City Royals Could be a Fit for Marcell Ozuna

With the Kansas City Royals having numerous holes to fill on their roster, Dayton Moore will likely need to be active on the trade market. Marcell Ozuna, a player that the Miami Marlins are actively shopping, could be a nice fit in Kansas City.

In what has essentially become a time honored tradition, the Miami Marlins are holding yet another fire sale. While there may be the occasional moment where the Marlins appear to be interested in contending for a championship, Jeffrey Loria, who may well be the worst owner in baseball, finds a way to muddle those hopes and dreams.

It also does not help the Marlins cause when Loria decides to interfere and cause issues with players and agents. The Marlins have feuded with agent Scott Boras, and Loria is known to hold a dislike for center fielder Marcell Ozuna. As such, the Marlins are essentially doing everything in their power to trade the talented center fielder.

While the Kansas City Royals do not need a center fielder with Lorenzo Cain holding down the fort, they do potentially need two new starters in right and left. Alex Gordon is not a given to return, and the combination of Jarrod Dyson and Paulo Orlando, while an interesting platoon, may not provide enough offense for the Royals lineup. Ozuna, who has experience in right, could be a solid fit.

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Even though Ozuna may be better known for his hitting, he has been solid defensively in his time in the majors. Despite being roughly league average in center, he has been solid in his time in right field. Over his 55 career games in right, Ozuna is considered to be worth four runs saved while posting a 2.39 range factor, 0.33 higher than league average. He would certainly fit the Royals defensive philosophy.

Ozuna could also fill a gap in the middle of the Royals lineup. His 2015 numbers, a .259/.308/.383 batting line with ten home runs in 459 at bats, may not seem overly impressive, but there were signs of progress. Ozuna cut his strikeout rate by 4.5%, while increasing his line drive rate to 28%, a 5% increase over 2014. His .320 batting average on balls in play was also above league average, making his disappointing 2015 statistics all the more perplexing.

With Loria’s desire to be rid of Ozuna likely puts the Marlins at a disadvantage when it comes to trade talks, the center fielder’s seemingly disappointing 2015 season could also diminish the Marlins return. However, given his solid peripherals, Ozuna may be ready for quite the bounceback season. Under team control until 2020, Ozuna could be a long term solution for a team needing outfield help.

Next: Royals Potential Non-Tendered Targets

Marcell Ozuna would be a solid fit in the middle of the lineup and as a long term outfield solution. As an answer in right, Ozuna may be a great fit for the Kansas City Royals.