Pirates Still Searching for Answers at Third Base as Spring Training Nears
Spring training is right around the corner, and while much of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ roster is starting to take shape, there’s still a glaring question mark staring back at them from the hot corner. Third base remains unresolved - and with Yoán Moncada now officially off the board, the options are thinning fast.
Moncada may not have been a franchise-altering acquisition, but he checked a lot of boxes for where the Pirates are right now. A short-term, low-risk addition with upside.
The kind of bounce-back candidate who could’ve shared time with Jared Triolo in a manageable, cost-effective platoon. Instead, Moncada is heading back to the Angels on a one-year, $4 million deal - a move that underscores just how narrow the Pirates’ margin for error is in this stage of their build.
This isn’t about missing out on a superstar. It’s about missing out on a fit. And for a team operating in Pittsburgh’s market tier, those misses add up.
The front office knew third base was a problem heading into the offseason. Ke’Bryan Hayes’ injury issues in 2025 forced the issue, and the Pirates did their due diligence, checking in on available free agents.
Moncada was among them. Now he’s gone, and with each passing day, the list of viable solutions gets shorter.
The most obvious name still out there? Eugenio Suárez.
He brings power, experience, and the kind of offensive presence that could stretch a lineup that’s already improved with the additions of Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn. But there’s a catch - and it’s a big one.
Suárez is reportedly looking to land with a contender. And here’s the paradox: the Pirates need a player like Suárez to become that contender, but they’re still fighting the perception that they aren’t one yet.
It’s a tough sell. And the longer it drags out, the tougher it gets.
What’s left beyond Suárez is a mix of internal patchwork and external question marks. Internally, that likely means more of Triolo - a solid defender who hasn’t yet shown he can be an everyday bat. It means more nights where the bottom third of the lineup feels like it’s just trying to hang on, while the top of the rotation - led by Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller - is doing everything it can to win games.
And that’s the issue. The Pirates have real pieces now.
The pitching staff is built to compete. The young core is maturing.
The window isn’t hypothetical anymore - it’s open. But if third base remains a revolving door, it sends a different message.
One that says the front office is still playing it safe, still waiting for everything to align perfectly before making a real push.
Moncada wasn’t a cure-all, but he was the kind of move that signaled intent. Pragmatic, affordable, and aligned with the roster’s current trajectory.
Losing him to a one-year deal elsewhere - especially one that felt within reach - highlights the challenge. These are the moments where interest needs to turn into action.
These are the deals the Pirates have to win if they want to take the next step.
Every missed opportunity narrows the lane. And right now, the lane is getting tight.
The Pirates don’t need a star at third base. They need stability.
They need a bat that won’t disappear for weeks at a time. They need someone who can hold down the position while the rest of the roster - especially that rotation - tries to push this team forward.
“Let’s figure it out later” doesn’t cut it anymore. Not with spring training on the doorstep. Not with a team that finally looks ready to take a real swing.
Later is turning into now. And the Pirates still have a hole to fill.