The Pittsburgh Pirates have bolstered their lineup with the addition of Marcell Ozuna, a powerful designated hitter, in a strategic move to enhance their offense. Ozuna, a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, has signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Pirates, pending a physical examination. This move marks a significant increase in the team's payroll, pushing it close to the $100 million mark for the first time since 2016.
The 35-year-old Ozuna is a right-handed power hitter with an impressive career record. He has accumulated 296 home runs and 948 RBIs over 13 seasons with the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Atlanta Braves. In the previous season, Ozuna played for the Braves, batting .232/.355/.400 with 19 doubles, 21 home runs, and 68 RBIs in 145 games. His performance was exceptional, ranking in the 98th percentile in walk rate and showcasing a high chase rate.
One of Ozuna's standout seasons was in 2024, where he batted .302/.378/.546 with a 154 OPS+ and finished fourth in the National League MVP voting. He also had a 39-homer, 104-RBI campaign, further highlighting his offensive prowess. Ozuna's versatility is evident in his time as a designated hitter (554 games) compared to his time in left field (546 games), where he won a Gold Glove in 2017. His career statistics as a designated hitter are impressive, with a .271/.356/.504 slash line, 101 doubles, 125 home runs, and 344 RBIs.
The Pirates' decision to sign Ozuna is part of a broader strategy to strengthen their lineup. They have already added All-Star sluggers Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn, and the team's existing players, such as Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, have proven their offensive capabilities with back-to-back 20-homer seasons. However, this move may also signal the end of Andrew McCutchen's tenure as the designated hitter, as the 39-year-old's performance has been less impressive in recent seasons.
The Pirates' aggressive approach to the offseason is evident, aiming to address their offensive shortcomings. With Ozuna's addition, the team is now poised to compete more effectively in the upcoming season, despite the potential disruption to the existing lineup dynamics.
