The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $12 million contract, with a mutual option for 2027. The deal, confirmed by ESPN and first reported by the New York Post, will pay Ozuna $10.5 million in 2026, with a $16 million option for 2027 and a $1.5 million buyout. Ozuna, 35, joins the Pirates after a down year with the Braves, where he hit .232 with 21 home runs and a .756 OPS, partly due to a hip injury. Despite recent struggles, Ozuna has a decorated career with three All-Star appearances, two Silver Sluggers, and one Gold Glove, and was a key power hitter for Atlanta since 2020. The Pirates aim to improve their offense, which finished last in the majors with 117 home runs last season, by adding Ozuna and other offensive pieces like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn. Ozuna’s signing likely signals a move away from longtime franchise icon Andrew McCutchen, who remains unsigned. The team’s payroll will rise to a franchise-record of approximately $105 million, reflecting a significant investment in their roster. The signing is viewed as a strategic move to make the Pirates competitive, potentially contending for a wild card spot in a competitive NL Central, which now features multiple strong teams. The deal also raises questions about roster composition, including defensive alignment and the future of other players like McCutchen and Paredes, as the team seeks to build a balanced and powerful lineup for 2026.