As the calendar creeps toward spring and MLB clubs finalize their rosters, the Pittsburgh Pirates still have some key questions to answer-none bigger than what they plan to do at third base.
Shortstop looks like a future home for top prospect Konnor Griffin, and while the rotation could use some depth, it’s more about rounding out the back end than chasing a frontline ace. But the hot corner? That’s a glaring hole, and right now, there’s no clear solution on the roster.
Jared Triolo has gotten his shot, but it’s becoming more apparent that he’s better suited as a utility option than an everyday fixture at third. He’s a solid defender with a decent glove, but the bat just hasn’t played at the level needed for a starting role. That leaves the Pirates looking outward-and the options are limited.
On the free-agent market, Eugenio Suárez stands out as the most notable name still available. But at 34, and with his best power-hitting days likely behind him, he may be eyeing a team with a clearer path to contention than what Pittsburgh can offer in 2026.
The real opportunity for the Pirates might’ve come from a trade-specifically, a situation that almost unfolded in Philadelphia. Had the Phillies landed Bo Bichette, Alec Bohm would’ve become the odd man out. That could’ve opened the door for Pittsburgh to swoop in and fill their third base need with a proven, cost-controlled option.
But when Bichette ended up with the Mets instead, the Phillies backed off, choosing to hold onto Bohm. Just like that, a potential fit for the Pirates disappeared.
Now, Bohm isn’t a game-changer in the traditional sense, but he would’ve checked a lot of boxes for Pittsburgh. A right-handed bat in a lineup that leans heavily left, Bohm brings contact skills and consistency.
He hit .287 last season with a strikeout rate of just 16.3%-well below league average. He doesn’t chase pitches, he puts the ball in play, and while he’s not a slugger (11 homers last year, 20 the year before), he consistently drives the ball with authority.
His exit velocities and hard-hit rates sit comfortably in the 66th percentile, and his line-drive approach puts pressure on defenses.
In short, Bohm would’ve brought balance and reliability to a lineup that needs both. And with just one year of team control left, the cost to acquire him wouldn’t have been astronomical. It also would’ve given the Pirates a full season to evaluate whether he could be a long-term piece.
But with that path now closed, Pittsburgh has to pivot.
One possible direction? The Mets.
With Bichette now manning shortstop in Queens, New York has a bit of an infield logjam. Brett Baty and Mark Vientos could be available, though both come with more volatility than Bohm.
Baty’s upside is intriguing, but he’s struggled to find consistency at the plate. Vientos has shown flashes of power, but questions remain about whether he can handle third defensively or hit enough to hold down the job full-time.
Then there’s Yoan Moncada, the most likely free-agent fallback. Moncada is a high-risk, high-reward play.
The talent is undeniable-he’s a switch-hitter with pop and athleticism-but injuries and inconsistency have defined his last few seasons. That said, there’s a connection here that could make things interesting: Pirates GM Ben Cherington was running the Red Sox front office when Boston gave Moncada the largest signing bonus ever for an international amateur free agent.
That history could matter.
Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Bohm was the best fit. He wasn’t flashy, but he was exactly what this Pirates lineup needs: a steady, right-handed bat with a proven track record and a reasonable price tag.
Instead, the Pirates are back to the drawing board. The need at third base remains, and as the options dwindle, the pressure to find the right fit only grows.