The Pittsburgh Pirates finished their seventh consecutive losing season (71-91) in 2025 and have not made the playoffs for over a decade (2015).
Despite this, the Pirates showed a willingness to spend this offseason, swimming in the deep end of the free-agent pool. Swinging and missing on names like Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies) and Framber Valdez (Detroit Tigers), the Pirates did acquire a “big name” with three-time All-Star outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna finalizing a one-year contract, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The deal is reportedly worth $12 million and contains a mutual option for 2027 ($16 million). The Pirates will pay Ozuna $10.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout if the Pirates don’t pick up their side of the option.
Spending the last six seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Ozuna took a step back in 2025 after putting together an All-Star season in 2024 (.302 average, .925 OPS), batting .232 with an OPS of .756 and only hitting 21 home runs after mashing 39 the season before.