Now that Alex Gordon is off the board, a Marlins outfielder is drawing a notable amount of interest. Marcell Ozuna trade rumors not been discussed of late, but multiple clubs are interested in Ozuna, according to Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan.
Source: Market on Marcell Ozuna is moving fast. Marlins have spoken trade with multiple teams, including one West Coast team recently.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 6, 2016
USA Today's Bob Nightengale first reported the Rangers have expressed interest in Ozuna but that the "asking price remains high." Chi Chi Gonzalez is among the players the Marlins have expressed interest in, according to Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald.
Gordon re-signed with the Royals on Wednesday morning and the outfield market might begin to develop as a result.
Several teams were reportedly interested in Ozuna earlier this off-season, but the Marlins' asking price was thought to be too high. Ozuna is still arbitration eligible and the Marlins are thought to be seeking a front of the rotation starting pitcher in a deal involving their starting center fielder. The Indians were among the teams interested before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline before the Marlins opted to keep Ozuna on the roster.
Miami's priority this off-season has been adding starting pitching, but the club appears to at least be listening to offers for Ozuna.
If the Marlins were to move Ozuna, the club would be short an outfielder. However, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, if the club moves forward without Ozuna, Christian Yelich will play center field and a platoon with Derek Dietrich and another right-handed hitter would be created in left field.
Several reports since the end of the season have suggested Owner Jeffrey Loria is ready to move on from Ozuna, who spent time in Triple-A last season and called his time in the minors "like jail."
Ozuna, 25, batted .259/.308/.383 to complement 10 home runs and 44 RBIs over 123 games with the Marlins last season.