The Miami Marlins were trying to trade outfielder Marcell Ozuna for a starting pitcher throughout the offseason, with the Texas Rangers reportedly close last week. However, the Marlins signed free agent pitcher Wei-Yin Chen on Tuesday, so the team is planning to keep the 25-year-old Dominican Republic native.

According to NBCDFW, Miami was close to acquiring starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez along with prospects from the Rangers for Ozuna, but no deal was made. The Marlins, still looking for a starter, went to the free agency market and signed Chen to a five-year, $80 million deal.

The signing basically killed an Ozuna deal even though it was well-documented that Marlins owner Jeff Loria disliked the outfielder. In a report from Miami Herald, Loria was very open to trading Ozuna because of his dedication to fitness despite being one of the best young outfielders in the league.

The 25-year-old had his breakout season in 2014 when he batted .269 with 23 home runs plus a solid outfield defense in 153 games. However, he regressed last season as he only had a .249 batting average and eight home runs, which was highlighted by going 1-for-36 in one stretch, per Baseball Reference.

Ozuna was demoted to Triple-A to rediscover his swing, but his agent Scott Boras accused the Marlins' front office of manipulating his service time, which further fuelled Loria's hate. The tide turned for the outfielder after his sting in the minors as he hit .258 with four home runs in just 93 plate appearances.

Despite the setbacks, slump and questions from ownership, Ozuna's time in Miami will be extended thanks in large part to newly appointed manager Don Mattingly and new hitting coach Barry Bonds. In a report from Boston Globe, the Marlins front office was instructed not to deal Ozuna because Mattingly and Bonds think they could turn him into a 30/30 player.

A 30/30 in baseball is when a player registers 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in just one season. The new coaching staff believes that Ozuna can join the illustrious club that only six players have accomplished since 2009.

The Dominican Republic native has showed that he has power, and with the help from MLB's home run king, Ozuna could very well hit 30 in a season. The difficult part is the 30 stolen bases because he only has 10 in three seasons in the big leagues.

MLB Trade Rumors notes that the Marlins will likely play Ozuna and superstar Giancarlo Stanton in the two corner outfield with Christian Yelich at center. Chen, on the other hand, will come second in the starting rotation behind 23-year-old ace Jose Fernandez.