The Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t tiptoeing into 2026 - they’re kicking down the door. Just days before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Pirates made a bold move, agreeing to a one-year, $12 million deal with veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna. It’s a late-offseason splash, and it sends a clear message: this team wants to contend, and they’re building a lineup that can do some real damage.
Ozuna, a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger, brings serious right-handed power to the middle of Pittsburgh’s order. He’s the third big bat the Pirates have added this offseason, joining Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn - a trio that instantly upgrades a lineup that lacked consistent pop last year.
For a team that’s been building patiently through youth and development, this kind of veteran injection signals a shift. It’s go-time.
But as exciting as Ozuna’s arrival is, it also casts a shadow over a familiar name in Pittsburgh: Andrew McCutchen. The 39-year-old fan favorite is still a free agent, and while he’s made it clear he wants to play - and wants to do it in Pittsburgh - this signing could be the writing on the wall.
Both Ozuna and McCutchen are right-handed designated hitters at this stage of their careers. It’s hard to imagine the Pirates carrying both on the roster, especially with younger players needing at-bats and defensive flexibility being key in today’s game. That said, general manager Ben Cherington hasn’t officially closed the book on McCutchen’s return.
When asked whether Ozuna’s signing ends the possibility of bringing McCutchen back, Cherington was careful with his words. While he couldn’t comment directly on Ozuna - the deal hasn’t been finalized yet - he made one thing clear: “I don’t think the Pirates… will completely shut the door on Andrew McCutchen.
That’s just how we feel about him. That’s not going to happen.”
That’s a respectful nod to what McCutchen means to the franchise - and make no mistake, he means a lot. Since Barry Bonds left town, no player has impacted the Pirates the way McCutchen has.
He’s been the face of the franchise for over a decade, a five-time All-Star, a former National League MVP, and the heart of those playoff teams in the early 2010s that brought October baseball back to Pittsburgh. When he returned three years ago, he wasn’t just a nostalgia play - he produced, he mentored, and he led by example.
But the business side of baseball doesn’t always leave room for sentiment. With Ozuna now in the fold, McCutchen’s spot becomes harder to justify, at least from a roster construction standpoint. And while Cherington left the door cracked open, McCutchen’s recent social media activity - changing his profile pictures that featured him in a Pirates uniform - suggests he may be reading the tea leaves himself.
If this is the end of McCutchen’s run in Pittsburgh, it’s been a remarkable one. He didn’t just play here - he helped revive baseball in the city.
He gave fans something to believe in again. And even in his second stint, he showed up every day with professionalism, passion, and a deep love for the game and the city.
As for Ozuna, he brings his own brand of energy and production. At 35, he’s still a dangerous hitter who can change a game with one swing. If he stays healthy and locks in at the plate, he could be the kind of difference-maker that puts the Pirates squarely in the NL Central mix.
This offseason has been one of the most aggressive in recent Pirates memory. Adding Ozuna is the latest - and loudest - move yet.
It may come with a bittersweet edge if it means saying goodbye to a franchise legend. But it also signals something fans have been waiting for: Pittsburgh is serious about winning.
And now, with spring training just around the corner, the pieces are finally starting to come together.