North Shore Nine

The Pirates don’t have many obvious roster holes right now, but third base continues to stand out as the one spot that feels unfinished. It’s not about depth or flexibility. It’s about certainty. If the goal is to win in 2026, this is the move they have to make.

Eugenio Suárez checks every box the Pirates need at third. Power that actually plays in games. A track record of durability. Real experience in meaningful spots. And most importantly, a bat that changes how opposing pitchers have to navigate the middle of the order. This lineup has taken steps forward, but it still leans too heavily on projection and internal growth. Adding Suárez is about removing guesswork.

The fit makes sense from a baseball standpoint and a roster-construction standpoint. The Pirates don’t need a long-term answer here. They need a stabilizer. Someone who lets younger players slide into roles that make sense instead of forcing them into situations they’re not ready for yet. Suárez does that while also bringing legitimate run-producing upside.

The argument isn’t that he’s perfect. It’s that he’s available, attainable, and clearly better than pretending this position will solve itself. Teams with playoff aspirations don’t leave obvious upgrades on the table because they’re waiting for internal answers that might not arrive on schedule.

If the Pirates are serious about turning progress into wins, third base is the spot to address — and Suárez is the clearest answer on the board.

We broke all of this down in detail on the show. Watch or listen to the full discussion and decide for yourself whether this is the move that finally pushes the Pirates from “close” to legitimate.