Hunt and Peck

Cardinals among “front-runners” for free agent Marcell Ozuna - A Hunt and Peck

Will the Big Bear be back in St. Louis?

By lil_scooter93 Jan 2, 2020, 2:00pm EST

League Championship Series - St Louis Cardinals v Washington Nationals - Game Four

The relationship between the Cardinals and Marcell Ozuna refuses to end without a fight. Throughout the offseason the pair have been linked together. At one point a reunion looked unlikely when Ozuna declined the Cardinals qualifying offer and elected free agency. Lately the rumors between the club and its former left-fielder have been heating up. Back on December 19 reports of talks between the two parties surfaced. The Cardinals’ competition for Ozuna’s services appears to have dwindled to two other teams, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:

The market for Marcell Ozuna may be gaining some clarity. According to a source, the Reds, Cardinals and Rangers are among the teams still making a push for the slugger. Other teams could still be in play, but these three appear to be the frontrunners.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 2, 2020

With the exception of signing Kwang-hyun Kim, the Cardinals have kept noticeably quiet this offseason. The team has a noted interest in outfielders, particularly those of the left-handed variety, but have yet to land a player fitting that description. That field of these players keeps shrinking as the offseason progresses. The Cardinals were linked to Corey Dickerson before he signed with the Marlins on December 28. Though Ozuna is right-handed, he would fill the role the Cardinals are looking for and the team’s familiarity with him might make him an attractive target.

Marcell Ozuna rumors | MLB.com