Ranking 7 Trade Options for Pirates at Third Base After Suárez Deal With Reds
Despite heavy speculation and a real effort to try and sign him, Eugenio Suárez will not play for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026.
The veteran third baseman has agreed to a deal to return to the Cincinnati Reds, the team he played for from 2015-21.
The bad news for the Pirates is that Suárez, a two-time All-Star, was by far the top free agent third baseman remaining on the market. The remaining options available in free agency aren’t great.
But the good news for the Pirates is that there are plenty of trade options who could be available and make sense as Pittsburgh continues to seek more offensive help.
Here are seven options for the Pirates ranked from best to worst.
1. Brendan Donovan (Cardinals)
OK, Donovan doesn’t have much big-league experience at the hot corner, but that’s largely due to being blocked by one of the best defenders in the history of the position in Nolan Arenado. When Donovan has played third base, he’s been great (six DRS in 46 games).
But Donovan is the top option for the Pirates for two reasons — his productivity and his versatility. The 29-year-old has been a consistently well above-average performer at the plate in his career. Across four big-league seasons, he carries a .282/.361/.411 batting line (117 OPS+) with 97 doubles, five triples, 40 home runs and 202 RBI. He was an All-Star in 2025 after hitting a career-best .287 with 32 doubles, 10 home runs and 50 RBI in 118 games.
And While Donovan could play majority third base for the Pirates, he could also fill in just about wherever. He’s played all four infield positions and both corner outfield spots in his career.
2. Isaac Paredes (Astros)
Rumor is that Houston wants to shred some payroll and Paredes is among the players who could potentially be traded. The soon-to-be 27-year-old will either make $8.75 million or $9.95 million depending on the results of his arbitration case.
Paredes was an All-Star for a second straight season in his first year with the Houston Astros in 2025 and finished the year with a .254/.352/.458 batting line with 20 home runs and 53 RBI in 102 games. In 566 career games, he has a 115 OPS+, 92 home runs and 287 RBI.
Paredes’ defense slipped this past season but not to the point where it’s an overly-major concern.
3. Brett Baty (Mets)
The first of a couple options from the Mets on this list, Baty had a breakout season in Flushing Queens last season. The 2019 first-round pick slashed .254/.313/.435 with 13 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 50 RBI and eight stolen bases in a career-high 130 games.
He totaled 87 games at third base (and 57 games at second base) and had four defensive runs saved at the hot corner.
4. Mark Vientos (Mets)
If the Pirates acquired the 2024 version of Vientos, they would be getting a huge upgrade to the lineup. That year, Vientos hit .266 with an .837 OPS, 22 doubles, 27 home runs and 71 RBI in 11 games.
But the 26-year-old took a step back in 2025. He finished the year with a .233/.289/.413 batting line with 21 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 61 RBI in 121 games.
Given his youth and the fact that he’s shown he can be an impact before, he might be worth a buy-low attempt.
5. Josh Jung (Rangers)
I’m not sure Jung will be traded, but the Pirates should at least make a call. Jung, who was taken eighth overall in the 2019 draft, turns 28 years old later this month.
Jung was an All-Star with the Rangers in 2023 and finished fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year race but hasn’t had quite the same success the past two seasons. In 131 games with Texas in 2025, he hit .251 with a .684 OPS (100 OPS+), 23 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs and 61 RBI.
6. Alec Bohm (Phillies)
Bohm has been an above-average producer for the majority of his big-league career. In 719 games across six seasons with the Phillies, the 29-year-old has a .279/.328/.415 batting line with 143 doubles, eight triples, 70 home runs and 395 RBI.
Last year, Bohm slashed .287/.331/.409 with 18 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs and 59 RBI in 120 games, a dip in production after he was named an All-Star for the first time in 2024.
The chances of Bohm getting dealt dropped after Bo Bichette signed with the New York Mets. He wouldn’t cost the Pirates a ton in terms of assets to land him but will make a hefty $10.2 million in 2026 as a one-year rental.
7. Ronny Mauricio (Mets)
Mauricio is a one-time top prospect who hasn’t yet found his way in the big leagues.
The 24-year-old has played 87 games with the Mets and has a .234/.295/.361 batting line with 10 doubles, eight home runs, 19 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He’s provided versatility and has four defensive runs saved in 47 games at third base.
Maybe the Pirates feel like they could help Mauricio reach his upside. But maybe they’d just be better off giving the nod to Jared Triolo given a similar skillset.
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I’m kind of conflicted as to whom to pursue. Short term, they definitely need a right-handed bat to slot in somewhere between 2 and 6 to break up all the lefties.
But long term, they figure to have plenty of right-handed punch, and not as much left. So a Baty or a Mauricio makes sense. I guess if they would roll the dice on Mauricio, it would be a moot point since he switch hits, although not as well right-handed.
What would it take to get Donovan or Paredes?? That’s the issue. I’d look at one the Tigers 3Bmen if we can’t get Baty or Vientos
Lenyn Sosa
Yes! I have been chirping about him all winter.
Brandon Donovan is the only one I would trade our PitcherJones and 1 or2 lesser minor league prospects.
TRADE 4 BELOW
TO METS FOR BRADY
OR
CARDS FOR DONOVAN
MLODZINSKI – just to block the GM from using in rotation
(WAIT THAT WOULDN’T WORK HE LOVES HIM LOL)
MATTSON- SELL HIGH
GONZO-NO ROOM CAN’T HAVE BELOW AVERAGE 2B BLOCKING KG
BART-TOO MANY BACKSTOPS, NOT PAYING HIS ARB 3 IN 2027 ANYWAY
WHO IS BRADY??? IT’S BATY … MORE ON
Wow, you’re a joy, surprising for a dude who named himself after a p***star from the 70s.
Buccos need to overpay, not just close,Just MISS, or small beat. WHAT have they done since 1979? (dont say wild card) Where is the money going NOW? Some show of money, by Nutting, needs to be captured.Expectation is for what player, to come here?
They were willing to overpay to get Suarez and it still didn’t happen.
I like A.J. Vukovich of the DBacks. Otherwise a trade with the Mets sounds promising.
Let’s not pursue anybody there’s nobody out there that is better than Trilo. at the end of the season. He started hitting if you put him in one position maybe he’ll feel at home and start hitting like crazy the mets have nobody at third base that we want. Josh Jung we don’t need to trade for him or Alec bomb. I don’t wanna see any more trading. I believe Trilo can play a great third base and hit well. I would love to see a power hitting third baseman, . But that’s a wish list. Gonzalez can play short and if they plan on bringing up Griffin later on in the season which I think might not be a bad idea then Gonzalez could be our utility player can’t wait to see what the organization has in mind most of the third base that are left. Most are lefties and how many lefties do we need.
No one out there is better than Trilio? Maybe defensivly. Overall though most of these guys are better offensively.
I’m starting to think CJ Abrams might the the best chance of the Bucs finding a positive WAR SS/3B to start the season. He’s obviously in the doghouse in DC with his early hours casino antics, yet he’s still young and has upside despite his defensive struggles at SS.
Abrams hits lefty and has years of control too. If his arm plays at the hot corner, he could be moved once Griffin makes it to Pittsburgh.
Andujar batted 318 last year he would’nt require a ton of money