The Pittsburgh Pirates are eyeing a potential addition to their lineup: veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. While the Pirates have missed out on several high-profile free agents, they're now showing interest in Ozuna, who turned 35 in November. Despite a down year by his standards in 2025, Ozuna still performed better than average offensively, hitting .232/.355/.400 with a career-high 15.9% walk rate and 21 homers in 592 plate appearances. However, his fit in Pittsburgh is questionable. PNC Park, a right-handed power hitter's nightmare, and the Bucs' roster, which isn't well-structured for an everyday designated hitter, present challenges. The Pirates already have players like Spencer Horwitz and Ryan O'Hearn sharing time at first base and designated hitter, and adding Ozuna would further complicate matters, potentially pushing O'Hearn into an outfield role, which he's not well-suited for. The Pirates' pursuit of Ozuna raises questions about their willingness to sacrifice defense for offense, as their pitching staff is strong, and their lineup has been weak for years. The team's recent trades and free-agent pursuits, including offers to Josh Naylor, Kyle Schwarber, and Eugenio Suárez, indicate a desire to bolster the lineup. However, the Pirates' plans are complicated by the presence of franchise icon Andrew McCutchen, who is also a right-handed hitting outfielder transitioning to a designated hitter role. The team's pursuit of Ozuna and their history with McCutchen suggest a continued focus on improving the lineup, despite the challenges and potential conflicts.
