I’ve talked about this topic extensively already this offseason. Outside of shortstop, the most glaring need isn’t the rotation. It isn’t the bullpen. It’s left field. That position was a black hole for the Braves last season, as Eddie Rosario and Marcell Ozuna combined for nearly -3.0 WAR. They were two of the worst players in all of baseball, and while positive regression HAS to be in line, the Braves can’t go into next season expecting those guys to be the starters.
I know that, and Alex Anthopoulos knows that, but he left the door open for both of them to be on the roster to begin the 2023 campaign.
“You know, Rosario obviously didn’t have the year he’s capable of,” Alex Anthopoulos said via Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We’re hopeful with a normal offseason, further removed from eye surgery and so on, he’ll be in much better position next year.”
Anthopoulos followed it with similar sentiments regarding Ozuna.
“Ozuna, the same way you know, very up and down, still hit over 20 homers, had a really good September. Hadn’t played in a long time.”
Given the Braves’ needs and their payroll situation, it’s very possible Rosario and Ozuna are on the 2023 Opening Day roster. I would be a little surprised if both of them were, but it could happen. Regardless, the Braves have to add to their options in left field, whether it’s re-signing one of their own free agents — like Adam Duvall and Robbie Grossman — or bringing in someone from another team.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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