The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to search for a third baseman, and it’s increasingly unlikely that he’ll be Eugenio Suárez. This, according to baseball insider Ken Rosenthal, who, on a recent Fair Territory podcast, reported that Pittsburgh’s interest in the slugging right-handed hitter is very real, but if Suárez “has a choice to play for a better team, a more competitive team, in his opinion, he’s going to choose that team.”
@Ken_Rosenthal confirms that the Pirates have interest in Eugenio Suarez
However, he reiterates that Suarez may view other teams as more competitive.
Noting “I don’t know that the Pirates, in the minds of free agents, are quite there yet”pic.twitter.com/IdoBxPaXOL— SleeperPirates (@SleeperPirates) January 19, 2026
Pirates Search for Third Baseman Should Lead to Division Rival
It’s quite a quandary the Pirates and other small-market teams find themselves in. Good players generally won’t go to a team that’s not competitive, and a team can’t become competitive without good players. Departed Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin often spoke of wanting “volunteers, not hostages.” But sometimes a baseball team has no choice but to take hostages. For the Pirates, that means when they can’t shop in the free agent aisle, they need to take their cart to the trade market.
After trading Johan Oviedo and Mike Burrows, the Pirates likely won’t be willing to trade another starting pitcher. But they have yet to include a ranked prospect in a trade.
Besides, the free agent market might be getting a bit too expensive for their taste. It’s unknown what kind of salary Suárez is looking for. MLB Trade Rumors projects a three-year, $63 million contract for him. However, that was before the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker to a record contract that’s sure to become the poster child for how out of hand free agent contracts have become.
Tucker’s four-year deal for $240 million includes a $64 million signing bonus, of which $54 million is paid up front, and $30 million in deferred pay that begins to accrue after the second year. In a master stroke of idiocy, the Dodgers also gave Tucker opt-outs after the second and third years. Assuming the remainder of the contract, i.e., the portion other than the upfront signing bonus and deferred pay, is paid ratably, and Tucker opts out after year two, the Dodgers will have paid him $142 million and will be on the hook for another $10 million, all for two years of service!
Shopping in the National League Central Division Aisle
With the Chicago Cubs having signed Alex Bregman to play third base, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington should take his search for a third baseman to the Cubs and see whether there’s a solution in the form of the deposed Matt Shaw or free-agent-to-be Nico Hoerner. I can’t take credit for this as an original thought. Baseball insider Bruce Levine reports that many GMs have had the same idea.
Cub President of baseball opts Jed Hoyer admitted that since the Cubs signed Bregman, other clubs interest in Hoerner and Shaw have increased.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) January 15, 2026
Shaw, 24, was the Cubs’ first-round draft pick in 2023 (13th overall) out of the University of Maryland (College Park). In his rookie season last year, the right-handed batter hit .226/.295/.394, 13 HR, and 44 RBI, and also stole 17 bases. At third base, he was responsible for five Fielding Runs Above Average and 12 Defensive Runs Saved. In the minor leagues, he slashed .301/.388/.527, 35 HR, and 113 RBI in 183 games. There’s now talk of the Cubs using Shaw as a reserve outfielder.
Hoerner, 28, also a right-handed hitter, has been the Cubs’ regular second baseman for three seasons. He’s also played third base eight times in his major league career. Last season, he hit .297/.345/.394, 7 HR, and 61 RBI. Over his seven-year career, all with Chicago, he’s hit .282/.340/.384, 36 HR, and 278 RBI. Except for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, which I tend to disregard anyway, he’s been remarkably consistent. He becomes a free agent after the 2026 season.
Questions
Of course, there are questions to be asked about any potential trade between the Cubs and Pirates for either player.
What Would It Take?
I don’t know who the Pirates could trade to land either of these players. (Hey, what do you expect from a free article?) One might think it would take more to get Shaw, who has more years of control. I don’t propose mock trades because it’s a good way to look foolish. I’m sure there’s a lot more to trading than those of us on the outside can ever imagine.
Why Would the Cubs Trade with a Division Rival?
Trades between teams in the same division are thought to be taboo. But that seems to be less of a consideration ever since Major League Baseball instituted expanded playoffs. It’s now possible for as many as three teams in one division to make it to the postseason and fight for the right to get destroyed by the Dodgers.
It’s not as if there’s no precedent for the notion, either. In the spring of 1987, the Pirates traded Tony Peña to the St. Louis Cardinals for Andy Van Slyke, Mike LaValliere, and Mike Dunne. Both were in the NL East Division at the time. St. Louis won the NL pennant with Peña in 1987. Later, Van Slyke and LaValliere were key components of a three-time divisional championship team in 1990-92.
At the 2003 trade deadline, the Pirates traded Aramis Ramírez and Kenny Lofton to the Cubs to acquire Bobby Hill, José Hernández, and Matt Bruback. The Cubs advanced to the NL Championship Series in 2003. Ramirez went on to carve out a Hall of Fame-worthy career. The Pirates thought they were getting a top prospect in Hill, but he never panned out.
Why Would the Cubs Trade Either?
As things stand now, the Cubs have to be the favorites to win the NL Central Division in 2026. They’re looking to add to their club this offseason, but they’re not compelled to trade either Hoerner or Shaw. They’re not a small market team that looks to dump expiring contracts. They could let Hoerner walk after this season and slide Shaw in his place. They have no reason to trade either player.
Or can Cherington give them a reason? On one hand, a deal doesn’t seem likely, but on the other hand, everyone has a price. If he hasn’t already, Cherington should ask what that price is.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images