Braves Say Goodbye to Marcell Ozuna After Six Memorable Seasons as He Signs with the Pirates
The Atlanta Braves officially closed a significant chapter in franchise history this week.
Veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna is heading to a new home after six seasons in Atlanta.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Ozuna has signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates that includes a mutual option for 2027.
The deal signals both an ending and a fresh beginning.
For the Braves, it marks the departure of one of their most productive middle-of-the-order bats of the past half-decade.
For Ozuna, it presents a new opportunity to reestablish himself in a different uniform after an injury-affected 2025 campaign.
The Details Behind the Deal
ESPN’s Jeff Passan later reported the financial structure of the contract.
Ozuna will earn $10.5 million in 2026.
The mutual option for 2027 is valued at $16 million, and it includes a $1.5 million buyout.
That structure guarantees him at least $12 million overall.
For Pittsburgh, it represents a calculated investment in a veteran power bat.
For Ozuna, it is a short-term opportunity with upside.
The Pirates are banking on the possibility that a healthy season could unlock something closer to the production he displayed during his peak years in Atlanta.
A Tribute from Braves Country
The Braves did not let his departure pass quietly.
The organization’s official X account posted a tribute message honoring his six seasons with the club.
The post specifically highlighted his MVP-level 2024 season, a year that stands as one of the most productive offensive campaigns of his career.
“On behalf of Braves Country, thank you, Big Bear,” the team wrote, referencing Ozuna’s well-known nickname.
That 2024 season remains etched in franchise memory.
He blasted 39 home runs.
He posted a .302 batting average.
His slash line of .302/.378/.546 placed him among the elite hitters in the National League.
He earned MVP votes and finished fourth in the voting during his All-Star campaign.
For much of that year, he was the heartbeat of Atlanta’s lineup.
The Injury-Impacted 2025 Season
The story shifted in 2025.
Ozuna battled a persistent hip injury that lingered for much of the season.
While he still appeared in 145 games, his performance reflected the physical limitations he faced.
He finished the year with a .232 batting average and a .756 OPS.
He hit 21 home runs and drove in 68 RBIs.
On paper, those numbers suggest decline.
But context matters.
In June and July, he struggled significantly, hitting just .181 with a .615 OPS.
Aside from a brief surge in early August, his offensive output remained below his established standards.
The injury disrupted rhythm.
It impacted mobility.
It reduced the explosiveness that once made him such a dangerous power threat.
Yet even during that down year, Ozuna provided veteran presence and lineup stability.
He remained a respected voice in the clubhouse.
He remained a professional presence amid adversity.
Six Seasons of Production in Atlanta
Ozuna’s tenure with the Braves spanned from 2020 through 2025.
Over those six seasons, he compiled a .265 batting average and an .836 OPS.
He launched 148 home runs.
He drove in 410 RBIs.
He received MVP votes twice.
His fourth-place finish during the 2024 campaign cemented his place among the league’s most feared hitters.
Few designated hitters in franchise history have delivered such sustained offensive production across multiple seasons.
Ozuna’s ability to change games with one swing defined numerous nights at Truist Park.
He was often the spark when Atlanta needed momentum.
And during stretches of dominance, he carried the offense.
What Comes Next for Atlanta’s Lineup
Atlanta’s approach in 2026 will look different.
The Braves will not employ a full-time designated hitter.
Instead, manager Walt Weiss plans to rotate players between their defensive positions and the DH spot.
This strategy offers flexibility.
It allows rest without sacrificing offensive firepower.
Mike Yastrzemski and Jurickson Profar are expected to absorb much of the designated hitter duties while still contributing in the outfield.
That rotational approach creates opportunities to give Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II partial defensive rest while keeping their bats in the lineup.
It also spreads responsibility rather than relying on a single slugger to anchor the DH role.
The model reflects a modern offensive philosophy focused on depth and adaptability.
A Farewell That Marks the End of an Era
Marcell Ozuna’s departure closes a meaningful chapter for the Braves.
He arrived in 2020 and quickly became a central figure in Atlanta’s lineup.
He experienced highs that bordered on MVP excellence.
He endured injuries that tested his resilience.
He contributed to postseason pushes and division battles.
Now, he turns the page in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates gain a veteran presence capable of middle-of-the-order production if fully healthy.
The Braves move forward with a more flexible lineup structure.
Transitions like this are inevitable in baseball.
Contracts expire.
Rosters evolve.
But six seasons of impact do not fade easily.
For Braves Country, the memories of Ozuna’s towering home runs and MVP-level 2024 season will endure.
And as he begins a new chapter in Pittsburgh, one thing remains certain.
Marcell Ozuna’s run in Atlanta was anything but ordinary.
