The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially signed veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna, adding one of the most established power bats available to a lineup that has been searching for more thump and consistent offensive production. It is set to be a one-year deal worth $12 million, according to multiple reports. This is a notable move for a Pirates team that has struggled to generate pop in the middle of the order, and Ozuna immediately changes that conversation.
Ozuna, 35, brings a long track record of run production at the Major League level. Since debuting in 2013, he has built a career defined by power and durability, approaching 300 home runs with close to 1,000 RBIs. He owns a career slash line around .269/.336/.469 and an OPS over .800, along with three All-Star selections, two Silver Slugger Awards, and a Gold Glove earlier in his career. He has cleared the 20-home run mark in nearly every full season he has played, making him one of the more reliable power threats of his era.
Last season with the Braves, Ozuna hit 21 home runs with 68 RBIs across 145 games, posting a .756 OPS while continuing to show strong plate discipline as he drew 94 walks. Even in what could be considered a down year by his standards, those numbers would have placed him among the Pirates’ team leaders in home runs, RBIs, walks, on base percentage, and overall offensive impact. For a lineup that has often struggled to string together extra base hits, Ozuna’s presence alone forces opposing pitchers to approach the middle of the order differently.
From an offensive standpoint, the fit is clear. Ozuna gives Pittsburgh a legitimate power bat who can change games with one swing and provide protection for hitters around him. Where things get a little interesting is on the defensive side and how the Pirates choose to deploy him. In recent seasons, Ozuna has spent much of his time as a designated hitter, and his defensive value has diminished compared to earlier in his career. That opens up several questions about lineup construction and playing time.
Will Ozuna be locked in as the primary DH? If so, does that push Ryan O’Hearn into more outfield reps, or does Pittsburgh rotate multiple players through the DH spot to keep bats fresh? There is also the possibility that Ozuna sees occasional time in the outfield, but defensive flexibility will be something to monitor closely once the season gets underway.
This signing also raises questions about the broader direction of the roster. Bringing in a veteran bat of Ozuna’s caliber may signal that the second chapter of the Andrew McCutchen era in Pittsburgh is nearing its conclusion. Whether that change comes sooner or later, it is clear the Pirates are prioritizing immediate offensive improvement.
At the end of the day, adding a proven power hitter like Marcell Ozuna to a weaker-hitting Pirates lineup is a positive step. The defensive alignment may take some adjusting, but scoring more runs has been a consistent need in Pittsburgh. Ozuna gives the Pirates a better chance to do just that, and for a team looking to take a step forward, that kind of addition matters.
