The Pittsburgh Pirates are facing a tough reality: their big free-agent signing, Marcell Ozuna, just isn't working out. With only two home runs and a .467 OPS so far, Ozuna's bat has gone quiet, and the team may soon have to consider cutting ties despite the $12 million contract they gave him.

Last season, it was the Pirates' offense that held them back. Ace pitcher Paul Skenes and the rest of the staff delivered on the mound, but the lineup simply couldn't produce enough runs. This year, the story is starting to look similar—and that's why the trade deadline is shaping up to be crucial for Pittsburgh.

Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller predicts the Pirates will be aggressive in their search for a power bat, specifically targeting what he calls "this year's Eugenio Suarez." For context, Suarez was a top slugger available at last year's deadline, and several teams—including the Pirates—showed interest before he was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Mariners.

Miller points to Colorado's Mickey Moniak and Angels DH Jorge Soler as early candidates. Soler, in particular, is an intriguing fit for the Pirates. Like Ozuna, he's a free agent at season's end and brings proven power to the middle of the order. Yes, both players strike out a lot, but Soler also has a World Series MVP on his résumé—the kind of big-game experience that could energize a young Pirates clubhouse.

Who exactly will step into that Suarez-type role this year remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: if the Pirates are in contention come July, expect them to be in the mix for an impact bat. The front office knows that to support Skenes and the pitching staff, they need to add some serious firepower to the lineup.