This week’s mailbag is a look at the Pirates’ third base situation, the best shortstop in 2026. Kazuma Okamoto and Cody PonceAnd thoughts on the Nationals, Cardinals, and Mets.
Money asks.
is Isaac Paredes What is the Pirates’ best option for a third baseman trade upgrade? How much does a prospect/player cost?
John asks:
I think the Pirates should make a serious prospect to acquire CJ. The Bucs appear to be one bat short. What do you think? will do Jared Jones sun?
Jared Triolo He is the projected starter at the Pirates’ hot corner. The 28-year-old won the 2024 Utility Player Gold Glove Award and will be a strong third baseman. At the plate, a wRC+ of 96 is average, and Triolo projects around 90. He was able to reduce his strikeout rate last year, but hasn’t really shown any power since A-ball.
Triolo is a 2 WAR per 650 PA player. In terms of total value, he is roughly on par with any additional offensive-minded player. Brandon Rowe and Ryan O’Hearn. It’s easier to get excited about a 30-home run hitter like Rowe, even if he’s giving back a ton of his value as one of the worst fielding second basemen in the game. And Triolo is making closer to the league minimum rather than eight figures.
I went into this practice thinking Triolo was going to be one of the worst regular third basemen in the game, but I didn’t realize how bleak the picture was. 650 PA standard – This is very generous for injury prone “regulars”. Lois Lewis and Yoan Moncada – The Bat X’s 2.0 WAR projection for Triolo ranks 18th. There’s absolutely no reason for men to like it Caleb Durbin or Nolan Arenado This year we will surpass Triolo.
Of the three players directly in front of Triolo – so close they could be considered washes – two of them are alec spring And Paredes. Both seemed somewhat available this winter, and while they make significantly more money than Triolo, they are clearly not better.
I’d say 14 third basemen represent a clear upgrade to the 2026 trio. Here are some thoughts on whether the Pirates could have signed them:
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