MLB Weekly Digest October 26th Edition: Braves Marcell Ozuna to Return

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The prior week in MLB was about a team in the National League looking to keep two players long term, a club in the American League wants to add to their roster, and a pair of relievers win awards.

Atlanta Braves Want Ozuna to Return, Freeman Extension

The Atlanta Braves had a very successful 2020 season and are looking to have two key players in outfielder Marcell Ozuna and first baseman Freddie Freeman on a long-term basis.

Ozuna is a free agent once the World Series is over, and Freeman is under contract until 2021.

Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said last week, “Marcell was amazing for us. I’d love to have him back,” per Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Freeman said in March of 2019 that he never wanted to put on another uniform.

The prospect of signing both players this upcoming offseason will be difficult for the Braves.

Ozuna is coming off a season in which he posted a .338 batting average and 1.067 OPS in 60 games and led the National League with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs.

He signed a one-year, $18-million contract with the Braves last offseason.

Freeman had an MVP-caliber season with a .341 average and 1.102 OPS with 13 home runs, 53 RBIs, and leading the NL with 23 doubles last year.

The first baseman is under contract through the 2021 season as he inked an eight-year, $135-million extension with the Braves in 2014.

Freeman is due a significant salary increase, and re-signing Ozuna would cause the Braves to have an expensive payroll.

Toronto Blue Jays Want to Add Major Piece to Roster

The Toronto Blue plan to be an active team this offseason.

Team president Mark Shapiro said last week, the team will have an active offseason and will not be restricted by a tight budget.

“The resources are going to be there to add in a meaningful way, and we will conduct this offseason much like the last offseason,” per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.

The Blue Jays made a small splash last year when they signed left-handed starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu to a four-year, $80-million contract.

The club has plenty of young talent in Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The team could use an ace to anchor their rotation, and free-agent starting pitcher Trevor Bauer would fulfill that need.

Athletics Liam Hendriks, Brewers Devin Williams Win Reliever of the Year Awards

Oakland Athletics closer Liam Hendriks and Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams were selected as the winners of the Reliever of the Year Award in the American League and National League, per an announcement by MLB on Saturday.

Liam Hendriks and @DTrainn_23 are your Relievers of the Year presented by @TheHartford. 👏 pic.twitter.com/vzjuioQUZ4

— MLB (@MLB) October 24, 2020

Hendriks was phenomenal in the Athletics bullpen this season with a 1.78 ERA, 13.1 K/9, and saved 14 games.

He will be a free agent at the end of the 2020 season.

Williams is the third straight Brewers pitcher to earn the award after reliever Josh Hader won it in 2018 and 2019.

Williams authored a microscopic 0.33 ERA in 27 innings pitched (22 games) with 53 strikeouts, a 0.86 FIP, and a 0.63 WHIP.

Williams is also a candidate to win NL Rookie of the Year as he had a great year with the Brewers.

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Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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