The Pittsburgh Pirates are eyeing a veteran slugger, but it's a delicate balance between offense and defense. The team's interest in Marcell Ozuna raises questions about their strategy and potential lineup adjustments.
According to Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Pirates are considering Ozuna, a veteran designated hitter, after missing out on several high-profile bats. While there's no imminent deal, it's noteworthy that the Pirates are the first team linked to Ozuna this winter. But here's where it gets tricky: Ozuna, 35, had a relatively underwhelming 2025 season by his standards, yet still performed above the league average offensively. He batted .232 with a .355 OBP and .400 SLG, boasting a career-high 15.9% walk rate and 24.3% strikeout rate, along with 21 homers and 19 doubles in 592 plate appearances with Atlanta.
The Pirates' interest in Ozuna is intriguing, but it's not a perfect fit. PNC Park is notoriously challenging for right-handed power hitters, and the team's roster doesn't naturally accommodate a full-time designated hitter. Spencer Horwitz and Ryan O'Hearn are set to share time at first base and DH, with Horwitz finishing strong in 2025 (.314/.402/.539 in his final two-plus months). O'Hearn can play the outfield corners, but Bryan Reynolds has one of those positions locked down.
Signing Ozuna would create a ripple effect. O'Hearn would likely shift to a primary outfield role, despite his below-average grades in the corners. This could impact the playing time of Jake Mangum and delay the arrival of top prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, acquired earlier this winter. And this is the part most people miss: the Pirates might need to decide between Ozuna and franchise icon Andrew McCutchen.
The Pirates' lineup has been among the weakest in MLB for over a decade, and adding Ozuna would provide a much-needed boost. However, it could result in a defensively questionable outfield with O'Hearn in left, Oneil Cruz in center, and Reynolds in right. But the lineup, featuring Reynolds, O'Hearn, Horwitz, Ozuna, Brandon Lowe, and eventually top prospect Konnor Griffin, would be a force to be reckoned with.
The real dilemma lies in the potential clash of icons. Both Ozuna and McCutchen are right-handed hitting outfielders who have transitioned to DH roles. McCutchen, 39, has expressed frustration with contract negotiations, and the Pirates' interest in Ozuna could be seen as a potential replacement. But the team's pursuit of other high-profile bats like Josh Naylor, Kyle Schwarber, Kazuma Okamoto, and Eugenio Suárez suggests a strong desire to upgrade their offense, even if it means sacrificing some defense.
With pitchers and catchers reporting soon and Opening Day approaching, the Pirates' intentions are becoming clearer. Their willingness to offer substantial contracts indicates a commitment to improving their lineup. The question remains: can they find the right balance between offense and defense, and will they choose Ozuna as the missing piece to their puzzle? What do you think? Is Ozuna the right fit for the Pirates, or should they explore other options? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
