The Pittsburgh Pirates closed the 2025 season with a familiar result: a 71–91 record and a seventh consecutive losing campaign, extending a playoff drought that has lingered since 2015 and causing them to make some desperate signings, one being from the Braves.
A Rare Willingness to Spend Signals a Shift
For a franchise long associated with conservative spending and patient rebuilds, the offseason that followed carried a noticeably different tone. Pittsburgh ventured deeper into the free-agent market than it has in years, signaling a desire, at least symbolically, to change the narrative surrounding the club. The Pirates were linked to several high-profile names, including Kyle Schwarber and Framber Valdez, but ultimately came up empty as both players signed elsewhere. Even so, the pursuit itself represented a departure from recent offseasons, suggesting a front office more willing to test its financial limits in search of immediate improvement.
That willingness eventually resulted in the signing of Marcell Ozuna, a three-time All-Star outfielder-turned-designated hitter, who agreed to a one-year deal reportedly worth $12 million, according to reports. The contract includes a mutual option for 2027 valued at $16 million, with Ozuna guaranteed $10.5 million and a $1.5 million buyout if the Pirates decline their side of the option.
Braves Ozuna’s Production and the Limits of His Role
Ozuna arrives in Pittsburgh after six seasons with the Atlanta Braves, a tenure marked by both elite offensive peaks and recent regression. In 2024, he was among the league’s most dangerous hitters, batting .302 with a .925 OPS and crushing 39 home runs en route to an All-Star selection. His 2025 season told a different story, as he hit .232 with a .756 OPS and 21 home runs, still productive but no longer dominant.
More significant than the statistical dip is Ozuna’s narrowly defined role. He has become a full-time designated hitter, playing all 162 games at DH in 2024 and 137 in 2025. Since 2023, he has appeared in the outfield just twice. For a Pirates team that entered the offseason needing outfield depth, Ozuna’s defensive limitations raise questions about roster balance and flexibility.
Why Andrew McCutchen Still Made More Sense
While Ozuna brings postseason experience and veteran leadership to a roster light on both, the signing invites an unavoidable comparison to Andrew McCutchen. The former MVP and franchise icon remains a free agent and offers a surprisingly similar offensive profile, finishing 2025 with a .239 average and a .700 OPS. McCutchen also provided limited outfield defense, appearing in seven games, and likely would not have commanded a contract comparable to Ozuna’s given his reduced power output.
Beyond the numbers, McCutchen’s stature within the organization carries weight. His presence would have addressed leadership needs while reinforcing continuity with the franchise’s most relevant era. In choosing Ozuna, the Pirates opted for an outside veteran bat over a familiar cornerstone, a decision that underscores both their evolving approach and the lingering uncertainty surrounding their long-term direction.
