The Pittsburgh Pirates are making a bold move that could reshape their future—or spark a heated debate among fans. After missing out on several high-profile sluggers, the team is now eyeing veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, according to reports from Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic. While no deal is imminent, this marks the first time Ozuna has been prominently linked to a team this offseason, and it’s a move that could dramatically alter the Pirates’ lineup—for better or worse.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Ozuna, who turned 35 in November, isn’t exactly a perfect fit for Pittsburgh. Yes, he’d bring much-needed offensive firepower—despite a slightly down year in 2025, he still posted a solid .232/.355/.400 slash line with 21 home runs and a career-best 15.9% walk rate. However, PNC Park is notoriously unfriendly to right-handed power hitters, and the Pirates’ roster isn’t built to accommodate a full-time designated hitter. Is sacrificing defense for offense the right call for a team with a historically weak lineup?
Here’s the part most people miss: Signing Ozuna would likely push Ryan O’Hearn into a primary outfield role, despite his below-average defensive grades in the corners. This could limit playing time for speedster Jake Mangum and block top prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, who the Pirates acquired in a trade this winter. Are the Pirates risking their future for a short-term offensive boost?
And this is the part that could spark a fiery debate: Adding Ozuna would make it nearly impossible to retain franchise icon Andrew McCutchen, who has expressed frustration over stalled contract talks. Both are right-handed hitters primarily serving as DHs, but Ozuna’s numbers against right-handed pitching (.235/.347/.415) edge out McCutchen’s (.228/.326/.358). Should the Pirates prioritize a proven veteran like Ozuna over a beloved fan favorite like McCutchen?
The Pirates’ pitching staff, led by strikeout artists like Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler, is the team’s strength. But their lineup has been one of MLB’s weakest for over a decade—the last time they fielded an average offense was 2014. A lineup featuring Ozuna alongside Bryan Reynolds, Spencer Horwitz, and Brandon Lowe would be a significant upgrade, but at what cost?
With a projected $95MM payroll and a willingness to spend big (they offered $120-125MM to Kyle Schwarber), the Pirates are clearly desperate to improve. But with pitchers and catchers reporting soon, time is running out. Will Ozuna be the missing piece, or are the Pirates better off pursuing another target—or even sticking with McCutchen?
What do you think? Is Ozuna worth the potential roster shakeup, or should the Pirates focus on other areas? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to divide opinions.
