Marlins reportedly discussing trades for Ozuna, Rangers interested
Now that Alex Gordon has re-signed with the Kansas City Royals, the outfield market could take shape quickly -- this apparently applies to the trade market as well.
According to Jeff Passan at Yahoo Sports, the Miami Marlins are receiving plenty of interest on outfielder Marcell Ozuna:
Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald later tweeted that the Rangers were one of the teams talking with the Marlins, even giving a possible trade piece:
Source: #Marlins have discussed OF Marcell Ozuna with #Rangers for RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez and perhaps another piece.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) January 6, 2016
On the Rangers side, FOX Sports insider Ken Rosenthal noted that the move would be an odd one for Texas, who needs to be adding pitching:
#Marlins, per @clarkspencer, have talked Ozuna for RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez and maybe one more. But #Rangers need to add pitching, not subtract.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 7, 2016
Ozuna, 25, has been involved in some controversy over the past year or so with the Marlins.
During the 2015 season, Ozuna was sent to Triple-A after a tough stretch in which he went 1-for-36. The move was highly criticized by his agent Scott Boras. Team president David Samson fired back in November, suggesting that Boras purchase his own team so he can make personnel decisions.
Also in November, reports surfaced that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria "can't stand" Ozuna and would likely be moved.
Needless to say, it's been a weird off-the-field tenure in Miami for Ozuna, who has been productive on the field -- he has a career .265 average with 36 homers (including 23 in 2014) in 346 games.
