PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are bolstering their lineup with a seasoned power hitter, agreeing to terms with veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna on a one-year contract worth $12 million, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The deal, first reported by The Associated Press on Monday, remains pending Ozuna's physical examination. The 35-year-old slugger, who became a free agent after the 2025 season, brings a wealth of experience to a Pirates team eager to support its promising young pitching core. Ozuna spent the last several years with the Atlanta Braves, where he posted a .232 batting average with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs in 2025, providing a steady presence in the middle of the order despite a down year by his standards.
This signing comes amid an active offseason for the Pirates, who have been aggressive in addressing their offensive shortcomings. Pittsburgh finished near the bottom of the majors in runs scored last season, prompting general manager Ben Cherington to target proven bats. Earlier in the winter, the club acquired All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe in a trade and signed All-Star first baseman and outfielder Ryan O’Hearn to a multi-year pact, moves designed to complement the rotation led by reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes.
The addition of Ozuna signals a potential shift in the Pirates' approach at the designated hitter spot. Longtime franchise icon Andrew McCutchen, a five-time All-Star and the 2013 NL MVP, remains a free agent after a 2025 campaign in which he hit .239 with 13 home runs while primarily serving as the team's DH. McCutchen, who has spent 12 of his 17 major league seasons in Pittsburgh, has yet to find a new home as spring training approaches, leaving fans to speculate on whether the club is ready to move on from the 39-year-old veteran who has been a cornerstone of the organization.
Ozuna, a three-time All-Star himself, enters his 14th major league season with a career batting average of .269 across stints with the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Braves. The Dominican Republic native has demonstrated elite offensive capabilities, batting over .300 in three seasons, including a standout .300 average in 2024 when he slugged 39 home runs and drove in 104 runs. His power and plate discipline could provide the balance Pittsburgh seeks in a lineup heavy on left-handed hitters like Lowe, O’Hearn, and outfielder Oneil Cruz, with switch-hitter Bryan Reynolds offering some versatility.
However, Ozuna's track record at PNC Park, the Pirates' home stadium, raises questions about his immediate fit. The right-handed hitter has struggled there historically, batting just .225 with only one home run in 36 games. PNC Park has long been known as a challenging venue for right-handed power hitters due to its spacious dimensions and pitcher-friendly layout, which suppressed home runs league-wide in recent years. The Pirates are betting that Ozuna can adapt and contribute meaningfully, perhaps by focusing on extra-base hits and run production rather than solely relying on his pull-side power.
The person familiar with the agreement, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official, emphasized that Ozuna's experience could be invaluable for a young Pirates squad aiming to contend in the NL Central. "He's a guy who's been in big situations and knows how to drive in runs," the source said, highlighting Ozuna's postseason pedigree, including a key role in Atlanta's 2021 World Series championship run.
Pittsburgh's offseason overhaul reflects a broader strategy to accelerate the team's timeline. After a 2025 season that saw the Pirates finish with a sub-.500 record despite Skenes' dominant rookie campaign—where the 23-year-old right-hander posted a 2.14 ERA and struck out 170 batters in 133 innings—the front office recognized the need for offensive reinforcement. Skenes, selected first overall in the 2023 draft, anchored a rotation that also features promising arms like Mitch Keller and Jared Jones, but the lack of run support limited their impact.
The Lowe acquisition, which brought the 30-year-old infielder from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for prospects, adds speed and defense up the middle. Lowe, a two-time All-Star, hit .244 with 21 homers in 2025 despite injury setbacks. O’Hearn, signed to a three-year, $26.5 million deal in December, provides corner infield flexibility and a .289 average from his time with the Baltimore Orioles. Together with Ozuna, these moves could transform a lineup that ranked 27th in the majors in OPS last year.
McCutchen's uncertain future adds an emotional layer to the Pirates' roster decisions. The Pittsburgh native, who debuted with the team in 2009, has been more than a player—he's a symbol of the city's baseball heritage. His 2025 performance, while solid for a part-time role, did not deter the club from exploring other options. As of Monday, McCutchen's representatives had not commented on ongoing discussions, but industry sources suggest interest from several contenders looking for a veteran leader and part-time contributor.
Ozuna's journey to Pittsburgh is a testament to his resilience. Drafted by the Marlins in 2007, he broke out as a star in Miami before trades took him to St. Louis in 2018 and Atlanta in 2020. In Atlanta, he evolved into one of the National League's top designated hitters, earning Silver Slugger awards in 2020 and 2021. Off the field, Ozuna has faced legal challenges, including a 2021 arrest for domestic violence that led to a suspension, but he has since focused on his performance and family, according to those close to him.
As the Pirates prepare for spring training, excitement is building around the Bradenton, Florida, complex where pitchers and catchers are set to report later this week. The team will hold its first full-squad workout on February 21, giving newcomers like Ozuna a chance to integrate with the core. Manager Derek Shelton has praised the front office's aggressiveness, noting in a recent interview that "adding guys with Ozuna's pedigree will help us compete right away."
The NL Central remains a gauntlet, with the Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds all making moves of their own. Pittsburgh's investments in offense could position them as dark horses, especially if Skenes continues his ascent and the bullpen stabilizes. Ozuna's success in Pittsburgh will hinge on overcoming his PNC Park woes and meshing with a youthful clubhouse, but the potential upside is clear for a franchise hungry for relevance.
For Pirates fans, who have endured a playoff drought since 2015, these developments offer hope. The signing of Ozuna, combined with the arrivals of Lowe and O’Hearn, suggests a commitment to winning now rather than rebuilding indefinitely. As the physical is completed and the contract becomes official, Pittsburgh can begin envisioning a more potent lineup capable of protecting its ace pitchers and challenging for a division title.
Details on Ozuna's contract include performance incentives that could push the value beyond $12 million, though specifics were not disclosed. The Pirates have not issued an official announcement as of Tuesday morning, but the expectation is that it will come soon, barring any issues with the medical evaluation. In the meantime, the baseball world watches as Pittsburgh pieces together what could be its most intriguing roster in years.