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Marcell Ozuna Contract: The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a notably busy offseason by their recent standards.
The roster, however, is still not fully built for contention. The team’s early moves have been encouraging.
Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe were brought in to add balance and experience to the lineup. Both players are expected to fill important roles heading into the new season.
Pittsburgh did not stop there. The Pirates actively explored additional upgrades throughout the winter.
They made a strong run at Kyle Schwarber, but a deal ultimately fell through. Their pursuit continued with Eugenio Suárez.
The club presented a competitive offer in hopes of landing the veteran infielder. Suárez, however, chose to reject Pittsburgh’s pitch.
He instead signed with the Cincinnati Reds, a rival within the division.
The Pittsburgh Pirates spent much of the offseason searching for a proven power bat.
As free agency moved forward, their choices became increasingly limited. The club has now moved quickly to fill that gap.
Multiple sources indicate Pittsburgh has reached a deal with veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna.
The agreement is valued at $12 million and remains contingent on a physical examination.
Ozuna spent recent seasons with the Atlanta Braves, where he established himself as a reliable run producer.
Pirates officials believe his bat will bring much-needed strength to the middle of their lineup.
The signing follows a failed pursuit of Eugenio Suárez earlier in the winter. Insiders say Pittsburgh shifted focus once that deal fell through.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post was the first to report the terms of the agreement.
If finalized, Ozuna would become one of the Pirates’ most notable offensive additions this offseason.
Marcell Ozuna brings significant experience and power to Pittsburgh.
The 35-year-old has logged 13 seasons in Major League Baseball. Across his career, he has launched 296 home runs.
Ozuna’s journey has included stops with three organizations.
He first made his mark with the Miami Marlins.
He later spent multiple seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Most recently, he played for the Atlanta Braves.
His performance slipped in Atlanta last season. Ozuna appeared in 145 games in 2024.
He finished with a .232 batting average and a .756 OPS. Those figures represented a clear downturn.
In 2023, he posted a .905 OPS. He followed that with a .925 OPS the next year before last season’s drop.
Even after a down year, Marcell Ozuna would still provide clear offensive value to Pittsburgh. His overall production remained better than the league average.
During the 2025 season, Ozuna hit 21 home runs. He collected 113 hits. He added 19 doubles. He drove in 68 runs.
He finished with a 113 OPS+, signaling dependable run creation. Evaluators still consider him a productive hitter.
He is no longer viewed as an elite, All-Star performer. His power, however, remains a legitimate threat.
The Pirates have been searching for more pop in their lineup.
Ozuna’s right-handed bat directly addresses that need.
His experience and track record make him a sensible low-risk free-agent target for Pittsburgh.
The Pirates’ $12 million deal for Marcell Ozuna is a sizable outlay for a designated hitter. Most teams rarely spend that much at that position.
Pittsburgh officials, however, saw little choice. The club lacked consistent power throughout last season.
That need pushed them to pursue a proven middle-of-the-order bat.
Ozuna is expected to bring immediate impact. His presence should strengthen run production and lineup balance.
If the contract is completed, he is likely to be a central piece of Pittsburgh’s 2026 roster.
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