Report: Marlins owner Loria 'can't stand' outfielder Ozuna
Rumors have been swirling about Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez not having the best relationship with the front office, possibly prompting a trade.
It seems like you can add another name to that list.
According to a report from Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, Marcell Ozuna could be moved:
Multiple teams have approached the #Marlins about Marcell Ozuna. They're being told Miami wants a young starter in return.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 20, 2015
Crasnick went further, stating that one executive thinks Ozuna will be traded because Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria "can't stand the guy":
"I'd be surprised if they keep him,'' one exec said of Ozuna. "Loria clearly can't stand the guy and everybody knows it." #Marlins
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 20, 2015
Prior to the 2015 season, the Marlins were thought to have one of the better young outfields in the game with Ozuna, Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton.
After a breakout 2014 season that included 23 home runs and 85 RBI from Ozuna, the outfielder struggled in 2015, hitting .259 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI in 123 games.
From the start of the 2015 season through June 12, Ozuna was fairly productive, hitting .289 with 24 RBI in those 59 games. However, a slump followed over his next 20 games in which he hit just .125 with two RBI and 27 strikeouts from June 13 to July 5. He was optioned to Triple-A on July 6, prompting criticism of the front office by his agent Scott Boras.
The front office recently responded by saying it will not deal with Boras in contract talks with Fernandez.
Should the Marlins decide to move Ozuna, the team acquiring him will have control of the 25-year-old through 2019.