3 Braves Opening Day starters who won’t be on the roster next season

Oct 10, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) during a team workout for the NLDS at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves Opening Day roster is pretty much set, but many of those same players won’t be on the 40-man to start next season.

The Atlanta Braves have plenty to look forward to this season, as they’re among the World Series favorites in the National League. Despite losing Dansby Swanson this offseason — and Freddie Freeman in 2022 — Alex Anthopoulos has survived the free agency storm as only he can.

This Braves team is arguably deeper than ever before, meaning they can afford to lose a star or two, whether that be to injury, free agency or a trade. Atlanta’s farm system is barren, and that could use some improvement through the MLB Draft and development, but there isn’t much else to complain about.

Braves who won’t be on the roster next season: Marcell Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna is a complicated figure in Braves country.

While Ozuna performed well this spring training with his bat, he’s also made some enemies among Atlanta baseball fans for the way he carries himself. And for that, he doesn’t really care if the home fans dislike him.

Ozuna struggled at the plate and in the field in 2022. He’s been arrested twice, including once on a domestic violence charge. He was suspended by the league. Basically, he’s done everything he can to be release and/or traded.

Yet, it’s not that simple.

Atlanta has shopped Ozuna, that much is clear. But they’ve struggled to find any takers, namely because his contract is an albatross, and the Braves don’t want to attach a prospect or send that much cash to a rival organization.

So, here we are again, arguing that Ozuna shouldn’t be on the team. But he will be on the team, and starting in the outfield, until further notice. His bat is that good when he’s on, and so far this spring, that’s been the case. But don’t expect Anthopoulos to hold onto Ozuna any longer than he has to.