The Marlins have traded Marcell Ozuna to the Cardinals for outfielder Magneuris Sierra and pitchers Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen and Daniel Castano. The Cardinals finally got their desired outfield slugger after Giancarlo Stanton used his no-trade clause to stop a trade between the two teams last week.
The 27-year-old Ozuna is coming off a breakout season in which he batted .312 with 37 homers, 124 RBI, and 93 runs. He will occupy one of the corner outfield spots for the Cardinals and will likely bat third or fourth in their lineup. Ozuna’s stock was falling as the Marlins traded away Stanton and Dee Gordon. While Miami’s offense was above average last season with 778 runs scored, St. Louis was close at 761. Overall, not much has significantly changed with the trade to move Ozuna’s fantasy value (42 ADP). The parks, teams, league, and lineup spot are similar. Some owners may have shied away from him because of the Miami’s sell-off, so his ADP may take a small jump up.
For the Cardinals, only two of Jose Martinez, Dexter Fowler, Stephen Piscotty, and Randal Grichuk will start at first base or the other outfield corner spot, though Grichuk and Piscotty could both be used as trade bait with Ozuna in tow. Additionally, the first base job might not be available depending on how Matt Carpenter handles third base or needs to move. It’s a muddled situation at best.
For the Marlins, they need to find another outfielder replacement with Braxton Lee, Garrett Cooper, and Derek Dietrich as internal options. Their roster is in flux and could see more changes as additional players get traded.
The Marlins got one of the top prospects in the Cardinals’ system in Alcantara. The 22-year-old righty ranked No. 4 in the Cardinals’ system, according to Baseball America, and No. 5, according to FanGraphs.
Alcantara’s fastball averaged 98 mph in the majors last season, but that’s where his above-average traits end. None of his non-fastballs are graded above average, and he has trouble throwing strikes (3.9 BB/9 in 125 IP at Triple-A). The Marlins will have the luxury to see if he can start, but there is a decent chance he ends up as a late-inning reliever.
Previous Hot Stove Analysis
Cubs and Twins Gamble on Smyly and Pineda
Chase Headley Gets Dumped on Padres
Cubs and Cardinals Add Potential Closers
Giancarlo Stanton Joins Yankees
Welington Castillo Inks Deal with White Sox
Potential Closers Traded: Boxberger and Johnson