I followed the “waiver candidate” chatter around Marcell Ozuna closely because it misunderstood both timing and baseball mechanics. Ozuna was not a waiver candidate for the Atlanta Braves. He completed the 2025 season under contract, entered free agency, and later signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in February 2026. Waivers apply to players on a 40 man roster, not free agents negotiating new deals. That distinction matters. – braves marcell ozuna waiver candidate.
After a down 2025 season with Atlanta, posting a .755 OPS and 21 home runs, Ozuna’s future with the Braves looked uncertain. Trade rumors surfaced at the 2025 deadline, but his no trade clause and lingering hip concerns complicated movement. Ultimately, Atlanta declined to re sign him, opting for a more flexible designated hitter rotation built around internal options such as Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin.
By February 8, 2026, Ozuna secured a one year agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates valued at $10.5 million for 2026, with a $16 million mutual option for 2027 that includes a $1.5 million buyout. The total guarantee reaches $12 million. At 35, he enters Pittsburgh as a likely everyday DH, aiming to rebound in a lineup that badly needed right handed power.
This is the story of how speculation turned into transition, and how a veteran slugger found new opportunity without ever touching waivers.
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The Waiver Rumor and Why It Never Fit
I have seen waiver rumors emerge when a player’s production dips and payroll questions surface. In Ozuna’s case, the confusion stemmed from misunderstanding roster status. Waivers are a procedural tool used for players under contract who are being designated for assignment or removed from the 40 man roster. Ozuna reached free agency naturally after the 2025 season. – braves marcell ozuna waiver candidate.
By late 2025, Atlanta had already begun shifting its offensive architecture. The Braves front office, led by President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos, prioritized roster flexibility and depth. MLB rules make clear that waivers serve as a mechanism for roster management, not contract expiration (Major League Baseball, 2023).
Ozuna’s hip issue and June July slump, during which he hit .181, fueled external speculation. Yet Atlanta never placed him on waivers. Instead, the organization allowed his contract to conclude and evaluated free agent options.
In a league where timing defines perception, the waiver narrative became shorthand for decline. But administratively, it was never accurate.
Ozuna’s 2025 Decline in Context
I watched Ozuna’s 2025 season unfold in uneven chapters. He finished with a .232/.355/.400 slash line, 21 home runs, and 68 RBIs. The on base component remained respectable, but his power output dipped compared to prior peak seasons.
Below is a statistical snapshot comparing projections for 2026 with 2025 results:
| Category | 2026 Projection | 2025 Actual |
|---|---|---|
| AVG | .248 | .232 |
| HR | 26 | 21 |
| RBI | 85 | 68 |
| OPS | .785 | .755 |
The hip issue limited lower body drive, which is critical for a power hitter. Analysts at FanGraphs noted that exit velocity trends softened in mid season, aligning with his slump. His hard hit rate remained competitive, but launch angle consistency fluctuated.
Former MLB outfielder and analyst Cameron Maybin remarked during a broadcast that “veteran hitters adjust, but when the base isn’t stable, the power drops first.” Ozuna’s case mirrored that principle. – braves marcell ozuna waiver candidate.
The Braves faced a decision. Commit another year to a 35 year old DH with declining metrics, or pivot younger.
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Atlanta’s Strategic Shift
I see Atlanta’s decision not as rejection but as recalibration. The Braves have consistently emphasized positional versatility. In 2025, they experimented with rotating the designated hitter role among catchers and bench contributors to maximize lineup flexibility.
Sean Murphy, primarily a catcher, logged DH at bats to manage workload. Drake Baldwin offered developmental upside. By not re signing Ozuna, Atlanta opened roster elasticity and payroll breathing room. – braves marcell ozuna waiver candidate.
Anthopoulos has previously stated that roster construction requires anticipating decline curves rather than reacting late (Bowman, 2022). Ozuna’s age placed him at a traditional inflection point for sluggers.
The Braves did explore trade possibilities before the 2025 deadline. However, Ozuna’s no trade clause narrowed destinations. Combined with medical uncertainty, market interest cooled.
The organization chose clarity over sentiment. Ozuna entered free agency without public friction, simply at a different stage of competitive timeline.
The Pirates Bet on Power
When I saw the February 8, 2026 agreement between Ozuna and the Pittsburgh Pirates, the logic felt straightforward. Pittsburgh finished 2025 near the bottom of the National League in home runs. They needed middle order punch.
Ozuna’s contract structure reflects controlled optimism:
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2026 Salary | $10.5 million |
| 2027 Option | $16 million mutual |
| Buyout | $1.5 million |
| Total Guarantee | $12 million |
Mutual options rarely align for both sides, effectively making this a one year prove it deal. The Pirates gain flexibility. Ozuna gains opportunity.
Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington has previously emphasized acquiring “impact bats without long term risk” (Mackey, 2021). Ozuna fits that profile. If he rebounds to 25 plus home runs, Pittsburgh benefits immediately. If decline continues, the financial exposure remains limited. – braves marcell ozuna waiver candidate.
For a franchise seeking incremental contention, the gamble is rational.
Role Outlook in Pittsburgh
I expect Ozuna to open 2026 as the Pirates’ primary designated hitter. His last regular outfield appearances came in 2023, and defensive metrics no longer justify everyday field work.
Ryan O’Hearn may shift between corner outfield and DH depending on matchup. Andrew McCutchen’s potential return could complicate at bat distribution, but Ozuna’s contract and power profile position him as the default middle order anchor.
PNC Park, traditionally viewed as challenging for right handed power, has played more neutral in recent seasons. Statcast park factors show moderate home run parity since 2023. If Ozuna regains timing, 25 to 28 home runs remain plausible.
Fantasy analysts at FantasyPros rank him around Hitter #156 overall entering 2026, reflecting mid tier risk with rebound upside. In late draft rounds, that profile appeals to managers seeking power without early investment.
Expert Views on Aging Sluggers
Baseball historian Bill James has written that power tends to age better than speed but deteriorates sharply after 35. Ozuna stands at that threshold.
ESPN analyst Buster Olney noted during offseason coverage that “veteran DH types are now evaluated through durability first, production second.” That ordering influences short term deals.
Meanwhile, former Pirates manager Clint Hurdle once emphasized that “lineups need fear in the middle.” Pittsburgh’s 2025 lineup lacked that fear factor. Ozuna’s presence restores at least the possibility of it. – braves marcell ozuna waiver candidate.
The economics align with broader league trends. One year power contracts have become common for players in their mid thirties. Risk spreads across seasons rather than compounding.
Ozuna’s situation mirrors peers who transitioned from long term commitments to shorter rebound contracts late in career.
Fantasy Outlook and Projection Analysis
I evaluate Ozuna’s 2026 fantasy value as moderate but volatile. His projected stat line of .248 average, 26 home runs, and 85 RBIs reflects a bounce back assumption built on health.
Strikeout rate remains a concern. During 2025, his swing and miss percentage climbed modestly. However, his walk rate preserved OBP stability.
Fantasy managers drafting in Rounds 20 through 25 can view him as a category specialist. He offers home run and RBI potential without stolen base value. In leagues that emphasize OPS, his ceiling increases slightly.
Projection systems like Steamer and ZiPS historically regress aging hitters cautiously. If Ozuna’s hip fully stabilizes, counting stats could rise simply through everyday DH volume.
For Pittsburgh, the fantasy narrative mirrors real life stakes. If he hits, the lineup lengthens. If not, the financial impact remains tolerable.
The Broader MLB Context
I see Ozuna’s transition as part of a larger shift in roster philosophy. Teams increasingly avoid multi year commitments to aging designated hitters unless elite production persists.
The universal DH, adopted permanently in 2022 (Major League Baseball, 2022), expanded opportunities for players like Ozuna. Yet it also increased supply, compressing market value.
Thirty five year old power hitters must now justify roster spots against younger, cheaper alternatives. Pittsburgh’s one year model reflects that reality. – braves marcell ozuna waiver candidate.
Ozuna’s career arc includes All Star seasons and postseason contributions. His next chapter hinges on adaptation. Shorter contracts demand quicker proof.
Baseball rarely offers static narratives. It offers windows. Ozuna’s Pittsburgh window opens narrow but visible.
Takeaways
- Marcell Ozuna was never placed on waivers by Atlanta.
- He entered free agency after the 2025 season.
- The Pirates signed him to a one year $10.5 million deal with a mutual option.
- Atlanta prioritized roster flexibility over re signing a veteran DH.
- Ozuna projects as Pittsburgh’s primary designated hitter in 2026.
- Fantasy value depends on health and power rebound.
Conclusion
I see Ozuna’s journey from Atlanta speculation to Pittsburgh opportunity as less dramatic than rumor cycles suggested. There was no waiver claim, no procedural surprise. There was a contract ending, a performance dip, and a calculated bet by a new club.
For the Braves, the move signaled strategic recalibration. For the Pirates, it signaled incremental ambition. For Ozuna, it represents a familiar late career test. Can power age gracefully for one more season?
Baseball history suggests that answers rarely arrive early. They reveal themselves across 162 games. Ozuna’s bat will determine whether this contract becomes a quiet footnote or a pivotal rebound.
In the churn of offseason headlines, clarity matters. The waiver story was never real. The opportunity in Pittsburgh is.
FAQs
Was Marcell Ozuna ever on waivers with the Braves?
No. He completed his contract and entered free agency after the 2025 season.
What contract did Ozuna sign with Pittsburgh?
A one year $10.5 million deal for 2026 with a $16 million mutual option for 2027 and $1.5 million buyout.
What role will he play in 2026?
He is projected to serve as the Pirates’ primary designated hitter.
How did he perform in 2025?
He hit .232 with 21 home runs and a .755 OPS.
Is he a strong fantasy option?
He offers mid tier power upside but carries age and health risk.
