Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted All-Star free agent third baseman Eugenio Suarez to land with the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason.
Suarez is the biggest power bat left on the market, though his market hasn’t exactly materialized in free agency despite hitting 49 homers in 2025. The Pirates have had an uncharacteristically busy offseason, signing Ryan O’Hearn to the first multi-year deal the franchise has handed out since 2016 and taking a big swing at All-Star Kyle Schwarber earlier in the winter.
“Meanwhile, closing out a busy offseason with a short-term deal for slugger Eugenio Suárez would be a nice final piece of the lineup puzzle to start the year,” Reuter wrote.
Do the Pirates Need Eugenio Suarez?
If the Pirates were to sign Suarez, the results would be a little difficult to assess.
On one hand, they will have brought in a big-name slugger who would instantly improve their abysmal offense from last season. The Pirates finished 2025 with the second-worst collective wRC+ in the league, only ahead of the Colorado Rockies. At third base, their 57 wRC+ ranked last in the league.
Suarez finished last season with a 125 wRC+, hitting 49 home runs and tallying a career high 118 RBIs. He made his second All-Star Game last season, and posted an OPS higher than .800 for the first time since 2019.
On the other hand, though, they’d be taking a huge blow defensively. The Pirates, despite their awful offense, ranked first in defense at third base. Their 22 outs above average and 19 fielding run value both led MLB at the position last season.
While Suarez’s bat was fantastic last season, his glove ranked extremely low among other MLB players. He had a minus-3 fielding run value and minus-6 outs above average, which ranked in the bottom 10% of the league.
The Pirates have put together a solid looking squad ahead of the 2026 season, and Suarez could be the piece they need to bring themselves back over .500 for the first time since 2015. With the NL Central only growing weaker, they could capitalize on an odd market and bring a real, power-heavy star to PNC Park.