The Atlanta Braves did not officially release Marcell Ozuna during the course of a contract; rather, his tenure with the franchise concluded when he completed his multi-year deal and entered free agency. As a veteran designated hitter whose production had been a major catalyst for the team's postseason runs, Ozuna tested the open market to evaluate his value across Major League Baseball. The two sides simply did not agree on a new contract extension to keep him in Atlanta, leading the slugger to sign a new deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the upcoming season, bringing an amicable and natural close to his productive chapter in a Braves uniform.