There’s been rumors for a while now that the Pittsburgh Pirates weren’t done in free agency, and Ben Cherington made good on that rumor this morning, with the Bucs signing DH/left fielder Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $12 million deal, according to ESPN. Ozuna will make $10.5 million in 2026, with a $16 million option for 2027 that has a $1.5 million buyout.
The 35-year-old Ozuna is coming off of a season in which he hit .232 with 21 homers and 68 RBIs with the Atlanta Braves. Ozuna has also hit 100 total homers over his last three seasons and now joins Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe as incoming hitters designed to give the Bucs some offensive oomph to complement their top-notch starting pitcher rotation.
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Ozuna also carries 296 lifetime dingers, as well as a .269 lifetime average. He’s also been pretty healthy for his age, playing in 145, 162 and 144 games respectively over the last three seasons. However, Ozuna has struggled in his career when playing in Pittsburgh, hitting .225 with just one homer in 36 games played inside of PNC Park.
In addition to the Braves, Ozuna has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins. He had perhaps his best season of his career with the Marlins in 2017, hitting .312 with 37 homers and 124 RBIs on the year.
This is likely the final signing for the Bucs before pitchers and catchers report later this week. The Pirates have balanced out their offense with another right-handed hitter and continue to add pieces around star pitcher Paul Skenes.
What do you think, BD? Is this signing enough to put the Pirates over the hump to contend in the division? Many were thinking the Bucs to be around a .500 club or slightly better. What does this do to your expectations on the year? Tell us in the comments.