Marcell Ozuna. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Pirates should have targeted franchise icon instead of Marcell Ozuna deal

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Feb 9, 2026 10:19 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates finished their seventh consecutive losing season (71-91) in 2025 and have not made the playoffs for over a decade (2015).

Despite this, the Pirates showed a willingness to spend this offseason, swimming in the deep end of the free-agent pool. Swinging and missing on names like Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies) and Framber Valdez (Detroit Tigers), the Pirates did acquire a "big name" with three-time All-Star outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna finalizing a one-year contract, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

The deal is reportedly worth $12 million and contains a mutual option for 2027 ($16 million). The Pirates will pay Ozuna $10.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout if the Pirates don’t pick up their side of the option.

Spending the last six seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Ozuna took a step back in 2025 after putting together an All-Star season in 2024 (.302 average, .925 OPS), batting .232 with an OPS of .756 and only hitting 21 home runs after mashing 39 the season before.

Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on a one-year, $12 million contract with a mutual option for 2027, sources tell ESPN. The deal will pay Ozuna $10.5M this year with a $16M option that has a $1.5M buyout. @JonHeyman was first on the news.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 9, 2026

Marcell Ozuna adds valuable veteran leadership, but this money should’ve been for Andrew McCutchen

Ozuna has been a solid big leaguer in his career and will bring valuable veteran leadership to a Pirates team that has a few players with more than six years of service time. Ozuna is strictly a designated hitter, playing all 162 games in 2024 at DH and 137 in 2025. Ozuna has not played in the outfield since 2023 (two games in left field).

The Pirates needed a fourth outfielder, and with Ozuna strictly being a designated hitter, the Pirates may be asking him to do more than he’s capable of. However, Ozuna’s playoff experience will help the Pirates grow.

Despite the signing, the Pirates should have signed former MVP and franchise icon Andrew McCutchen, who is still a free agent. Offering a similar profile to Ozuna (.239 average, .700 OPS), McCutchen did play the outfield in 2025 (seven games).

Not likely to get the same amount that Ozuna received, given his power numbers (13 home runs), McCutchen should have been signed over Ozuna, given his stature in the franchise.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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