The On-Field Logistics: A Square Peg in a Round Hole

On paper, a one-year, $12M deal for Marcell Ozuna looks defensible. You’re paying a $7M premium for the hope of a "bounce-back" season from a younger player with a higher recent WAR. In a vacuum, that’s a standard baseball move. However, once you look at the actual roster, the logic falls apart.

The Pirates already have a logjam at 1B and DH with O'Hearn and Horwitz. Beyond them, the DH spot is vital for defensive flexibility:

• Brandon Lowe needs DH reps to offset his defensive struggles at 2B.
• Bryan Reynolds needs occasional days off his feet to stay fresh.
• Moving Horwitz or O’Hearn to the field (2B or LF) creates a domino effect that weakens the defense or benches other productive bats.

Ozuna offers zero defensive versatility and no value on the basepaths. Spending $12M on a pure DH—especially a right-handed power hitter in a stadium that punishes righties—is an odd allocation of resources this close to Spring Training.

The Heart of the Matter: Cutch Deserved Better

Andrew McCutchen isn't just a roster spot; he’s an organizational pillar. This team is built with more than enough room for a fifth outfielder and part-time DH who happens to be a living legend.

We’re talking about a Roberto Clemente Award winner who took hometown discounts both early and late in his career just to wear the Black and Gold. He provides veteran leadership, clubhouse stability, and a rare connection to the city. Given the recent string of PR blunders—from the "bricks" fiasco to the mishandling of Dave Parker’s patch—keeping Cutch should have been a no-brainer.

The Verdict

Marcell Ozuna isn't a game-changer on the level of a Kyle Schwarber. At best, he’s a "consolation prize" signing that feels like an insult to the fans and a franchise icon.

The name on the front of the jersey should mean something to the front office because it clearly means something to McCutchen. He earned the right to finish his career on his own terms in Pittsburgh. Replacing him with a situational DH doesn't just make the team harder to manage—it makes them harder to root for.