PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly interested in acquiring outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the Miami Marlins, according to ESPN Deportes' Cristian Moreno.
The organization's interest in Ozuna dates back to "early in 2015", according to Moreno, and that the Phillies are the "most aggressive currently pursuing" him.
I'm told #Phillies continue having lot interest as early in 2015 to trade for #Marlins OF Marcell Ozuna, #Miami likely will trade him anyhow
— Cristian Moreno/ESPN (@CristianMorenoD) November 12, 2015
On Monday, ESPN's Jayson Stark reported that the Marlins are "floating" Ozuna's name, but they "only want to deal him for a No. 2-type starter."
Ozuna, who turned 25 years old Thursday, is a .305/.353/.463 career hitter at Citizens Bank Park, with nine doubles, two home runs and nine runs-batted-in over 23 games and 102 plate appearances.
In 123 games this past season, Ozuna hit .259/.308/.383 with 37 extra-base hits, 30 walks and 44 runs-batted-in. The outfielder played primarily in center field, committing just one error in 924 2/3 innings at the position.
If acquired by the Phillies, the three-year veteran would likely have to transition to one of the two corner outfield positions in 2016, with Odubel Herrera expected to man center field for his sophomore season.
Aaron Altherr would be the favorite to earn a starting role opposite Ozuna, barring any setbacks in Clearwater this spring. The 24-year-old German-native had 20 extra-base hits in just 39 games last season.
The Phillies are not the only team that have been recently linked to Ozuna. Before last July's non-waiver trade deadline, the Cleveland Indians reportedly showed interest in acquiring him, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. On Oct. 23, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman said the Indians have "some interest" in Ozuna.
The Marlins were reluctant to trade Ozuna last season, however a Miami Herald report from Oct. 5 said Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria "is down" on the outfielder, and that the organization "will consider trading him" this offseason.
Ozuna's agent, Scott Boras, remains critical of the Marlins since they demoted his client last season during a hitting slump. Boras alleged that the Marlins "intended to prevent the outfielder from becoming eligible for salary arbitration under the super two rule," according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Ozuna is under club control through the 2019 season.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
