Braves manager Walt Weiss says reunion is still possible with veteran slugger

ORLANDO, Fla. — For all of the talk this offseason about what changes might be coming to the Atlanta Braves lineup in 2026, it's possible that one name could return in what many might consider to be a surprising move.

Marcell Ozuna, who has spent the last six seasons as a member of the Braves, is currently a free agent. However, incoming manager Walt Weiss told reporters at this week's MLB Winter Meetings that it's possible Ozuna could return for a seventh campaign in Atlanta.

Walt Weiss confirms stance on Marcell Ozuna

"I don't know that the door has been shut on Ozuna," Weiss said when discussing what might happen with the Braves at the designated hitter spot in 2026.

With former manager Brian Snitker no longer on the bench, a return to Atlanta for Ozuna isn't as far-fetched as once thought. The two clashed last season, with Snitker benching Ozuna in June for a perceived lack of hustle on the bases. Ozuna's playing time also went down considerably in the second half of the season as the Braves held onto him at the trade deadline, then rotated other players through the DH spot in the lineup over Ozuna in August and September.

That same kind of rotation could be in play for Weiss as well in 2026 as he plans out his lineup, especially with Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy available at catcher.

"All things being equal, I do like the freedom of getting guys off their legs. It's like a half a day off. And using that position for Drake Baldwin because I want to get Drake's bat in there as much as we can," Weiss said. "Drake hits right and left. He's not a platoon guy.

"So at the same time we've got a Gold Glove-caliber defender in Murphy behind the plate. So there's some nice freedom there with that DH spot open."

So, would Weiss prefer a rotation at DH or one player to take most of the at-bats? It's still early in the offseason to know for sure which way the Braves will go, and there could be a determining factor that could sway Weiss.

"I do like the thought of it," Weiss said of the DH rotation. "Unless we just get some big hairy guy that wants to DH for us every day."

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.