Pirates Sign Marcell Ozuna: In a move that signals a serious push for the 2026 postseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna.
The deal, first reported on February 9, 2026, includes a mutual option for 2027 and serves as a vital pivot for a front office that had been aggressively hunting for middle-of-the-order power.
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Power Play: Why the Pirates Finally Went “All In” on Marcell Ozuna
After missing out on targets like Eugenio Suárez and Kyle Schwarber earlier this winter, the “Big Bear” provides the thunder the Buccos desperately need.
Why the Pirates Pulled the Trigger
The Pirates’ offense was a primary pain point in 2025, finishing at the bottom of the league in home runs (117) and runs scored. Ozuna, 35, brings a resume that includes 296 career home runs and a 2024 season where he finished fourth in NL MVP voting.
The Stats at a Glance
| Metric | 2024 (Braves) | 2025 (Braves) | Career Totals |
| Home Runs | 39 | 21 | 296 |
| RBI | 104 | 68 | 868 |
| OPS | .925 | .756 | .800+ |
| All-Star Selections | Yes | No | 3 |
While Ozuna’s 2025 numbers dipped due to a lingering hip injury, his 113 OPS+ would have led the Pirates’ qualified hitters last season.
For a team relying on the generational arm of Paul Skenes, providing even a league-average “floor” of run support is the difference between a winning season and another fourth-place finish.
The Lineup Logjam
Signing a full-time Designated Hitter (DH) isn’t without its complications. The Pirates already have a roster filled with “positionless” hitters and versatile lefties.
- The Fit: Ozuna provides a much-needed right-handed bat to balance a lefty-heavy lineup featuring Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, and newly acquired Brandon Lowe.
- The Fallout: His arrival likely pushes Ryan O’Hearn to a more permanent role at first base or in the corner outfield, potentially reducing playing time for younger players like Spencer Horwitz or Jake Mangum.
- The “Cutch” Factor: The signing also raises questions about the role of franchise icon Andrew McCutchen. With Ozuna occupying the DH slot daily, McCutchen may transition into a bench/pinch-hitting role or split time in the outfield.
How this signing impacts the Pirates’ projected 2026 Opening Day lineup?
The reported signing of Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $12 million deal is a classic “all-in” move for a small-market team with a window of opportunity. By securing a legitimate power threat, the Pirates have fundamentally shifted the geometry of their lineup, moving from a “scrappy but inconsistent” group to one with a dangerous middle core.
Here is an analysis of how Ozuna’s presence reshapes the Pirates’ projected 2026 Opening Day lineup.
The Projected 2026 Opening Day Lineup
With Ozuna locked in as the primary Designated Hitter (DH), the Pirates can now field a more balanced lineup that forces opposing pitchers to throw strikes to stars like Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds.
| Order | Player | Position | Why it works |
| 1 | Oneil Cruz | CF/SS | His elite speed and power (20 HR in ’25) create immediate pressure. |
| 2 | Bryan Reynolds | RF | The switch-hitting anchor provides consistent OBP ahead of the sluggers. |
| 3 | Marcell Ozuna | DH | Ozuna bats 3rd or 4th to drive in the table-setters; his 113 OPS+ is a massive upgrade. |
| 4 | Brandon Lowe | 2B | Provides a high-slugging lefty presence to prevent pitchers from walking Ozuna. |
| 5 | Ryan O’Hearn | 1B/LF | A professional hitter who lengthens the middle of the order. |
| 6 | Spencer Horwitz | 1B/DH | Elite plate discipline and high OBP to restart the engine for the bottom half. |
| 7 | Joey Bart | C | Found his power stroke in 2025; provides a threat from the bottom of the order. |
| 8 | Jared Triolo | 3B | Elite defense at the hot corner keeps runs off the board for Skenes. |
| 9 | Nick Gonzales | SS/2B | Solid contact bat to turn the lineup back over to the top. |
1. The “Big Bear” Protection
Last year, pitchers frequently pitched around Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds because the drop-off in the four-slot was significant. By slotting Ozuna into the heart of the order, the Pirates create a “pick your poison” scenario.
If a pitcher walks Reynolds, they face a man who has averaged 33 home runs over the last three seasons.
2. Defensive Dominoes: The “O’Hearn Effect”
Ozuna is strictly a DH at this stage of his career (having played only a handful of innings in the field in 2025). This forces Ryan O’Hearn and Spencer Horwitz to split time at First Base.
- The Impact: This likely limits the Pirates’ ability to rotate other players into the DH spot for “half-days” off.
- The Outfield: With O’Hearn potentially seeing more time at 1B, it clears a path for Jake Mangum or top prospect Jhostynxon Garcia to see more time in the corner outfield.
3. The “Konnor Griffin” Question
The elephant in the room is the #1 prospect in baseball, Konnor Griffin. While the Ozuna signing solidifies the veteran floor, it doesn’t block Griffin. Because Ozuna is on a one-year deal, he serves as a bridge.
If Griffin tears up Triple-A in April, the Pirates can move Oneil Cruz back to SS, shift Nick Gonzales to a utility role, and let Griffin take over Center Field without disrupting the power core provided by Ozuna.
4. Goodbye to “DH-by-Committee”
In 2025, the Pirates cycled through nearly a dozen different players in the DH spot. This lack of identity made it difficult for the lineup to find a rhythm.
Ozuna provides a fixed point. Having a locked-in veteran at DH allows manager Derek Shelton to build a consistent “batting order identity” for the first time in years.
The Verdict: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Gamble
For $12 million, the Pirates are betting that Ozuna’s 2025 “down year” was an injury-related fluke rather than a permanent decline. If he returns to his 2023–2024 form, Pittsburgh has a bargain cleanup hitter who can transform their offensive identity.
If not, the one-year commitment ensures they aren’t tied down as top prospect Konnor Griffin nears his MLB debut.
With Spring Training just days away, the Pirates have finally found the “big bat” their fans have been clamoring for.
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