The Pittsburgh Pirates are making waves in the offseason, and it’s not just about their pitching staff anymore. After missing out on several high-profile sluggers, the team is now reportedly eyeing veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, according to Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic. While nothing is set in stone, this marks the first time Ozuna has been prominently linked to a team this winter. But here’s where it gets interesting: Ozuna, who turned 35 in November, had a somewhat underwhelming 2025 season by his standards, yet he still managed to outperform the average hitter. He slashed .232/.355/.400 with a career-best 15.9% walk rate, 21 home runs, and 19 doubles in 592 plate appearances for the Atlanta Braves. His season was a rollercoaster—starting hot, slumping in June, and then stabilizing as an above-average hitter for the final three months.
But is Ozuna the right fit for Pittsburgh? While he’d undoubtedly boost the team’s run production, there are logistical hurdles. PNC Park is notoriously unfriendly to right-handed power hitters, and the Pirates’ roster isn’t exactly built to accommodate a full-time designated hitter. Spencer Horwitz and Ryan O’Hearn are already penciled in to split time between first base and the DH spot. Horwitz, in particular, ended 2025 on a tear, hitting .314/.402/.539 in his final two months, solidifying his everyday role. O’Hearn, meanwhile, can play the outfield corners, but Bryan Reynolds already locks down one of those spots.
Signing Ozuna would likely push O’Hearn into a primary outfield role, despite his below-average defensive grades in the corners. This move could also limit playing time for speedster Jake Mangum and block top prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, who the Pirates acquired in the Johan Oviedo trade. But here’s the controversial part: Should the Pirates prioritize offensive firepower over defensive stability? Pittsburgh’s pitching staff, led by strikeout artists like Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler, is the team’s strength. However, their lineup has been one of MLB’s weakest for over a decade. The last time the Pirates fielded an average offense by wRC+ was in 2014.
An outfield with O’Hearn in left, Oneil Cruz in center, and Reynolds in right would be a defensive liability, but a lineup featuring Reynolds, O’Hearn, Horwitz, Ozuna, Brandon Lowe, and eventual superstar shortstop Konnor Griffin would be a significant upgrade. And this is the part most people miss: While Ozuna and franchise icon Andrew McCutchen are both right-handed DHs, Ozuna’s recent performance against right-handed pitching (.235/.347/.415) outshines McCutchen’s (.228/.326/.358). McCutchen, 39, has expressed frustration with the Pirates’ offseason negotiations, despite his desire to retire in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates’ willingness to spend is clear—they offered Josh Naylor upwards of $80 million and reportedly bid $120-125 million for Kyle Schwarber. They also pursued Kazuma Okamoto and Eugenio Suárez, offering Suárez an extra year at the same annual value. With a projected $95 million payroll, the team seems ready to push further. But the question remains: Will they prioritize Ozuna over McCutchen, or will they find another bat altogether? With pitchers and catchers reporting soon, time is ticking. What do you think? Is Ozuna worth the potential roster shakeup, or should the Pirates focus on other targets? Let us know in the comments!
