Pirates Sign Marcell Ozuna
Pirates Marcell Ozuna contract $12 million 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates reached an agreement on Monday morning, February 9, 2026, to sign veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $12 million contract. The deal, which remains pending a physical, represents a significant investment for a Pirates franchise looking to escape a decade-long postseason drought. Ozuna, 35, joins the club after a six-year stint with the Atlanta Braves, where he solidified his reputation as one of the most consistent power hitters in the National League. With 296 career home runs and 948 RBIs across 13 seasons, Ozuna is expected to serve as the primary designated hitter and provide a veteran presence in the heart of a lineup that has historically struggled for run production.+1
This acquisition pushes the Pirates’ 2026 payroll toward the $100 million mark, a threshold the team has not neared since 2016. The move follows a busy offseason for general manager Ben Cherington, who has already added All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe and first baseman Ryan O’Hearn to a core featuring Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz. Last season with the Braves, Ozuna batted .232 with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs in 145 games. While those numbers represented a dip from his massive 2024 campaign—where he finished fourth in NL MVP voting—the Pirates believe his elite walk rate and 98th-percentile chase rate will translate well to the dimensions of PNC Park.+1
The arrival of “The Big Bear” likely signals a transition for some of the Pirates’ homegrown talents and established veterans. Specifically, the signing raises questions about the future role of five-time All-Star Andrew McCutchen, who entered free agency this winter and has yet to re-sign with the club. With Ozuna occupying the designated hitter slot, the team may look to utilize Ryan O’Hearn more frequently at first base or in left field, potentially impacting the playing time of younger prospects like Spencer Horwitz and Jake Mangum. Additionally, Ozuna’s right-handed power provides a much-needed balance to a lineup that tilted heavily toward left-handed hitting throughout the 2025 season.
As the Pirates prepare for Spring Training later this month, the focus shifts to how head coach Derek Shelton will configure a suddenly crowded middle of the order. Pirates fans have largely reacted with optimism to the deal, viewing it as a clear signal that the ownership group is finally willing to spend to compete in a wide-open NL Central. If Ozuna can recapture his 2024 form—where he posted a .925 OPS—he could be the final piece of the puzzle for a Pittsburgh squad that finished dead last in the majors in home runs just a year ago.
