Ben Cherington’s explanation of Pirates' DH situation only deepens the confusion

When the Pirates signed Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $12 million deal, the move came with an obvious assumption: he’s your everyday DH. Pencil him in.

On Wednesday, however, general manager Ben Cherington said that manager Don Kelly wants to rotate players through the DH spot, that they like their flexibility, and that they have a group capable of handling different roles. Which sounds reasonable — until you remember they just gave Ozuna eight figures.

If Ozuna is truly a rebound candidate — if the Pirates believe the 39-homer, .925 OPS version from 2024 is still in there — then why are we talking about platoons and rotation schedules? You don’t “mix and match” your most dangerous bat. You build a lineup around it.

Ozuna is 35. He’s a full-time DH. His value comes exclusively from his offense. If he’s not in the lineup every day, the signing makes significantly less sense. You don’t spend $12 million for a vibes-based rotational piece.

If the situation wasn't already complicated enough, new free-agent addition Ryan O’Hearn was one of the league’s best defensive first basemen last year. Spencer Horwitz also needs at-bats. Both are quality hitters in their own right. Neither should be stapled to the bench.

So what exactly is the plan?

Marcell Ozuna signing lengthens — and complicates — Pirates' lineup

If Ozuna DHs every day, someone else gets squeezed. If Ozuna rotates, you’re voluntarily reducing the impact of the one bat you just prioritized in free agency.

Cherington’s explanation was likely meant to project depth and optionality. Instead, it amplifies the concern that this roster wasn’t fully mapped out before the check was written.

The Pirates' offseason sent the message that this isn’t a rebuilding team cycling prospects through at-bats. This is a club that insists it wants to compete. Contenders don’t spend real money and then hedge on usage.

The Pirates already have a track record of creating positional traffic jams — moving pieces around without ever fully clarifying who owns which role. The DH spot was supposed to be the cleanest solution on the board. Now, it feels like another layer of uncertainty.

And the irony? If Ozuna rebounds, you want him in the lineup 155 times. If he doesn’t rebound, you’ve already made a questionable allocation of resources. There’s no scenario where a half-commitment maximizes the outcome.

In addition to adding depth to their lineup, the Pirates also added a decision. And based on the early explanation, it doesn’t sound like they’ve actually made one.