MLB Signings Breakdown: Ozuna Joins Pirates, Goldschmidt Returns to Yankees

We just discussed a trade between the Brewers and Red Sox, and now are going to break down some recent MLB signings.

We will go over real world and fantasy baseball implications of the deals.

For the latest player updates, be sure to head to FantasySP to utilize the real-time player news engine for all sports. The player news engine is the most robust and fastest player news system in fantasy sports. Signing up for a FantasySP membership can help you track all your fantasy players.

Ozuna Lands in Pittsburgh

Marcell Ozuna signed a one-year deal with the Pirates worth $12 million. There's a mutual option in 2027 - he will be paid $16 million if that is exercised. 

Ozuna is 35 years old, but still has gas left in the tank. He's probably going to be the team's designated hitter, after playing just two games in the outfield over the past three years.

Over 13 MLB seasons, Ozuna has a .269 average and .336 on-base percentage. He has 296 homers, 948 RBIs and 823 runs scored over 1,614 career games.

In 145 games with Atlanta last season, Ozuna had a .232 average and .355 OBP. In his 113 total hits, the slugger had 21 homers and 19 doubles, along with 68 RBIs, 61 runs scored, 94 walks and 144 punchouts.

Ozuna had a .302 average and .378 OBP over 162 games in 2024, so Pittsburgh is hoping he bounces back in 2026.

He's projected to serve as the designated hitter and hit fifth for the Pirates. With guys like Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O'Hearn before him, Ozuna could be a good fantasy threat in the heart of the team's order.

Moving from the Braves to the Pirates is definitely a downgrade though, so Ozuna's average draft position will slip a few more spots, after mostly dropping from last year because of bad results.

He's probably just eligible at DH too for fantasy, which is another negative against him and his fantasy outlook.

The move is a plus for the Pirates, and the hitters around him. Other projected members of the starting lineup are Nick Gonzales, Jared Triolo and Joey Bart, with Spencer Horwitz and Oneil Cruz in projected platoons with Jhostynxon Garcia and Jake Mangum. Henry Davis is the backup catcher, and Nick Yorke is another projected bench bat.

The signing of Ozuna takes away the DH spot from someone. It probably means that Andrew McCutchen's run with the team is over. 

That move also could slow the progress of some hitting prospects, although if Ozuna is at DH, there's still all eight fielding positions available, so it's not that massive. 

The move is better for the Pirates in real life than it is for anyone in fantasy. If Ozuna bounces back to his 2024 marks, Pittsburgh's offense could be a bigger threat, and the Pirates could make a little noise in the NL.

Goldy Returns to New York

Paul Goldschmidt is returning to the Yankees on a one-year deal. It's reportedly worth $4 million.

He is expected to start against left-handed pitching, and be an option at first base or designated hitter.

The 38-year-old first baseman played in 146 games last season, getting 534 plate appearances. Goldy had a .274 average and .328 OBP, along with 45 RBIs, 76 runs scored, five stolen bases, 36 walks and 100 strikeouts. Among his 134 total hits, Goldschmidt had 31 doubles, a triple and 10 homers.

Goldschmidt is on the back nine of a great career. He is a career .288 hitter with a .378 OBP. Goldy has lost some of his pop and speed, but he can still impact the game a bit and be a fantasy asset to some.

The signing is a detriment to Ben Rice's fantasy outlook most. I still expect him in the lineup almost daily, but he will likely lose some starts/playing time to Goldschmidt. Giancarlo Stanton is the regular DH, but spelling him with Goldy could keep Stanton healthy for a whole season.

Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Stanton, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jose Caballero and Austin Wells are the projected daily starters for the Yankees. Rice and Goldschmidt are in a projected platoon, with Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario.

J.C. Escarra is the backup catcher, with Oswaldo Cabrera the other projected bench bat, alongside whoever sits in the platoons.

There's a lot of talent in the lineup, and Goldschmidt gives the Yankees another veteran to turn to. He's more of a depth guy at this point and for that team/roster, but he could have fantasy value in the right situations.

Goldy is just a deep-league fantasy asset in the projected platoon. If he plays enough and delivers, he could eventually sneak into standard leagues, but I'm more set on Goldschmidt being a deep-league fantasy asset only.