What would you do about this OFer, Marcell Ozuna?

[cardsfan]

We are having a debate on our forum on what the Cardinals should do with trying to re-sign Marcell Ozuna who will be a Free Agent at the end of the season.

 

Remember Ozuna hit 37 HRs in 2017, but, had shoulder issues last year where he hit only 3 HRs in the first 2 months, but, hit 20 over the following 4 months. Was on DL after taking cortisone shots, but, recovered. Then in offseason had shoulder surgery and in Spring Training was put on a conditioning program to strengthen his muscles in shoulder. We are still seeing how his throwing is effected.

 

He has 9 HRs now and is hitting powerful shots over the wall. What do you do if he hits 40 HRs or more? Try to re-sign him knowing his shoulder may act up? Does he get $25 million a year for a great season say 45 HRs, 120 RBIs and an OPS of 950? How many years for the 28 year old? If you sign him for $140 million and have to eat most of the contract it will be like trying to get production out of $16 million a year Dexter Fowler.

 

Of course you offer a 1 year contract to get draft pick. I've not been enamored with Harper's contract or Machado who may have an OPS in the 700s where they command more at their age.

 

So what advice do you have as a Twin fan?

[SomeGuy]

I would agree that you extend the QO if no extension is reached before then. 

 

My Cardinals minor league knowledge is weak but I understand that a few of their top prospects are OF and in the upper minors.  The Cardinals also seem to be deep at OF at the Major League level.  Ozuna is the best of these OF but they will need to determine if the money is better spent somewhere else.  I would think that Bader, Fowler, Martinez, ONeill, and prospects would make a capable outfield.  Maybe the Cardinals would be better off with a front line starter?  The Cardinals seem to be an offensive powerhouse, I think spending the money on the pitching staff would be the best route.

 

As for Ozuna's contract....I'm guessing a healthy season will net him a 4-6 year contract at 20-25M per season.  I don't think that would be a terrible deal for the Cardinals but I think they can afford to use that money somewhere else.

 

[nicksaviking]

I think these are going to be hard cases for the home teams going forward because so far many veteran players haven't quite understood their value has been unfairly tanked by the owners so if the Cardinals wanted to extend him now I'd think the sides would be very far apart.

 

If this were my team I'd probably advocate for the QO but let the player know that they want him back but he's more than welcome to see what kind of offers he can find on the open market. Just see us before you put pen to paper.

[cardsfan]

We are worried about shoulder injuries. When you go so far out.. This isn't like 20 years ago when the contracts were smaller.