The Pittsburgh Pirates’ offseason figures to include some real roster churn, and Nick Gonzales is one of the names worth watching closely.
After a 2026 season in which he turned in the best offensive numbers of his career, Gonzales is the kind of player other teams could view as a buy-low, high-upside target. He hit .303/.367/.388 with an .755 OPS in 148 games, collecting 167 hits, 27 doubles, six home runs and 61 RBI. That production put him fourth in the National League and sixth in MLB in batting average, while his .367 on-base percentage ranked 10th in the National League and 20th in baseball.
He was also especially effective with runners in scoring position, batting .322/.393/.409 for an .802 OPS.
But the bat came with a major catch. Gonzales had a rough first year at third base, and the defensive numbers were brutal. He finished at minus-15 defensive runs saved and minus-11 outs above average, both the worst marks for any third baseman in 2026 among players with at least 850 innings.
General manager Ben Cherington addressed Gonzales’ defensive fit in his final press conference of the year, saying the team doesn’t know where he fits best and will sort that out this offseason.
That uncertainty is what makes Gonzales such an interesting trade candidate. Another club could look at him and see a clear everyday role, especially at second base, where he’s played most of his career. And because Gonzales is arbitration-eligible for the first time, any team that acquires him would also get three years of team control.
If a club believes it can clean up the defensive issues, Gonzales’ bat and control make him attractive. If his glove remains a problem and the offense backs up, his trade value could slide fast.
The Pirates would not be moving him as a salary dump. His projected arbitration salary for 2026 is $3.1 million, so the decision is more about fit than finances.
A lot of this also hinges on Brandon Lowe. If Pittsburgh does not re-sign Lowe for 2027 and beyond, Gonzales could slide right back into the starting second base job. Lowe was excellent for the Pirates, providing left-handed power, a major defensive jump and a strong presence in the clubhouse, but he is expected to command a serious deal in free agency.
If Lowe returns, Gonzales’ path gets murkier. Pittsburgh could still hold onto him, but his defensive struggles at third base might cut into his playing time, with Jared Triolo, a Gold Glove winner, taking over there more often. The Pirates could also look to add a more experienced third baseman and right-handed power bat who handles lefties.
There’s also the looming lockout, which will arrive when the collective bargaining agreement expires at midnight on Dec. 2. That cloud could affect how the Pirates approach their roster.
So while Gonzales might stay in Pittsburgh, the front office has plenty to sort through, and just about every outcome appears to be on the table.
In Other News...
Bob Nutting Could Finally Face Pressure To Spend More
Labor talks across baseball have started to carry a real edge, and for the Pirates the issue goes well beyond the usual winter posture. Owners have proposed a sweeping new economic structure in the next collective bargaining agreement, including a salary cap and a payroll floor tied to 2027. For Pittsburgh, a club that has long operated well below the spending levels of the sports upper tier, the conversation cuts straight to the franchises long-running identity under Bob Nutting.
The Pirates are among the teams that would be most affected if the owners get their way, because the proposal would force low-payroll clubs to move meaningfully upward. The MLB Players Association is pushing back hard against the overhaul, and the sides have already drifted close enough to another potential work stoppage that every financial wrinkle matters. For Nutting, this could be the rare moment when baseballs labor fight creates pressure from outside the usual fan frustration, and it may finally put spending where Pittsburgh supporters have wanted it for years. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Offseason Help Could Be Hiding In These Playoff Runs
The Pirates are already looking ahead after missing the 2026 postseason, and some of the help they need might still be playing meaningful baseball elsewhere this month. With the offseason beginning to take shape, the club is weighing ways to bolster its 2027 roster by targeting players on teams still alive in the playoffs, a group that includes pitching and lineup depth they could use right away.
Among the names being watched are Brewers left-handed reliever JoJo Romero, who has been effective in recent work, and Guardians outfielder Victor Adell, whose situation would require a trade. Dodgers left-hander Alex Vesia is also in the mix as a free-agent arm, though any pursuit would likely come with a price tag that stretches beyond Pittsburghs usual spending range, leaving the Pirates to decide how aggressive they want to be while those playoff runs continue. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Suddenly Face A Tough David Bednar Decision
The Pirates bullpen picture has changed enough that an old familiar name suddenly looks like a luxury rather than an obvious fit. David Bednar has rebuilt his value in New York by handling the ninth inning well, and his recent form is the kind that gets attention from teams looking for proven back-end help. For Pittsburgh, though, the question is no longer just about whether Bednar can pitch. It is about whether paying to bring him back would still make sense with other internal options already pushing their way into meaningful late-game roles.
Mason Montgomery has become part of that conversation by putting together a strong season and earning National League Reliever of the Month honors, a sign the Pirates may already have a closer-in-waiting on hand. That makes the Bednar pursuit a tricky call, because he would not come cheap and the clock is also tied to his future team control. Pittsburgh has to balance the comfort of a known commodity against the value of staying patient with a pitcher who has already shown he can finish games. [Read more 🡒]