Marcell Ozuna and Pirates Reportedly Agree to Contract, Updated Roster & Payroll amid Free Agency

Marcell Ozuna's time in Atlanta has come to an end.

The Pittsburgh Pirates reportedly agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal with the veteran slugger on Monday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network.

Ozuna will likely slot in as the primary designated hitter for the Pirates as they look to get better offensive production to help their pitching staff led by 2025 NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.

Pirates' 2026 Projected Starting Lineup

1. Spencer Horwitz, 1B
2. Brandon Lowe, 2B
3. Bryan Reynolds, RF
4. Ryan O'Hearn, LF
5. Marcell Ozuna, DH
6. Oneil Cruz, CF
7. Nick Gonzales, SS
8. Jared Triolo, 3B
9. Joey Bart, C

Pittsburgh entered the day with a projected payroll just under $110 million. Ozuna's salary will push it up to $122 million, which will move the Pirates ahead of the Colorado Rockies for 22nd in MLB.

The 35-year-old did not exactly have a vintage year in 2025, hitting .232 with 21 homers, 68 RBI and a .756 OPS. It was a down year for a player who was one of the elite sluggers in the sport in both 2023 (40 homers, 100 RBI, .905 OPS) and 2024 (39 homers, 104 RBI, .925 OPS).

In total, he spent six seasons with the Braves, helping them reach the postseason five times. Despite having one of the most talented rosters in the sport between 2022-24, however, the Braves haven't won a playoff series since claiming a World Series title in 2021.

Given Atlanta's disappointing struggles in 2025, there was some question whether he might be traded midseason, though he did have veto rights. A trade didn't come to fruition, leaving Atlanta to lose him for nothing this winter, though his decline this past season may make that an easier pill to swallow.

The Pirates were in the market for sluggers this offseason and even had interest in Kyle Schwarber before he returned to Philadelphia. The team has been plenty busy in general, adding Ryan O'Hearn, Brandon Lowe, Jhostynxon García, Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto, among others. Now they added some more pop in Ozuna and will be hoping for a bounce-back campaign.