The Trade Decision
The Pirates decided not to retain Andrew McCutchen for the 2026 season, instead signing Marcell Ozuna to serve as their right-handed designated hitter option. The Pirates believed McCutchen was no longer useful, even in a part-time DH role, despite his status as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Rationale Behind the Move
The Pirates pointed to McCutchen's recent declining offensive performance. He batted just .203 from July 1 onward in 2025. Ozuna, meanwhile, had hit 39 home runs in 2024 and 40 in 2023, making him appear to be the more productive option at that stage of his career.
Why It's Been Criticized
The decision has been widely panned as the worst roster exchange of the offseason. McCutchen wanted at least one more year with Pittsburgh, and the move was seen as unceremonious treatment of a franchise legend. Early 2026 results have made it worse: Ozuna has performed poorly (.185 average, .560 OPS, -0.6 bWAR), while McCutchen with Texas has posted a .195 average with one homer—marginally better but accomplished at a fraction of Ozuna's $12 million cost.
Additional Context
McCutchen was visibly upset about the Pirates' decision, showing displeasure when Pittsburgh media covered him in Texas. He believed he could still contribute both offensively and defensively, making a strong catch in right field for the Rangers in early May 2026. However, at age 39 and in his 18th season, his overall production remained limited. 
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