The Pittsburgh Pirates are on a roll this offseason, making multiple trades and signing a top-50 free agent in the past few months. There is lots of chatter about the Pirates’ potential for the 2025-26 season, and it’s possible that the Pirates aren’t done just yet.
During the last trade deadline, general manager Ben Cherington dealt third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Reds, leaving a large hole in the roster. The Pirates have realistically one option at third base right now and that is Jared Triolo.
Triolo hit an average of .227 over 331 at-bats with 18 doubles and seven homers. That’s decent production, but definitely not enough if the Pirates want to be taken seriously next season. It’s late in the off-season, but there are still plenty of options at third base.
Through free agency
Miguel Andújar
This name is a lot more underwhelming than some of the top bats in free agency, but his ability to also play left field could intrigue the organization. After bouncing around from the Oakland Athletics to the Cincinnati Reds, Andujar finished the year hitting an average of .318 over 321 at-bats with 10 home runs.
Andújar could be a viable option to platoon with Triolo and bolster that left side of the infield. His flexibility on the field also makes him an option to play some in the outfield, where the Pirates are thin. The nicest part about Andújar is that he won’t run the Pirates’ pockets either — he won’t make over 10 million next year.
There are others like free agent Ramón Urías or Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a former Pirate, but they are the same story as Andújar — platoon depth pieces that don’t move the needle and act as a bandage for a season or two.
Trade options
A trade is a lot more unlikely, but the Pirates have some arms in the starting pitching rotation they can move to acquire an everyday third baseman. Players are always moving in the MLB, and two names at third base catch my eye for the Pirates.
Isaac Paredes
Paredes would cost a starting arm in the rotation but would bring a star to Pittsburgh for years to come. He is only 26 years old and has already had a 30-home run season, which is something the Pirates haven’t had since Josh Bell hit 37 in 2019.
Paredes would bring power hitting to the Pirates’ lineup. As a bonus, he’s a right-handed batter, evening out the lineup after acquiring lefty Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn.
Brendan Donovan
The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to move the second baseman this offseason to continue the complete rebuild of their roster. They’ve already traded several players for a low cost, so they might be willing to do the same for Donovan, who has played third base before.
He is great defensively and hits well enough to always find a way into their lineup. Last season, he hit .287 on 460 at-bats with 32 doubles and 10 home runs. That would make him the Pirates’ best hitter statistically last season.
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