3 Pirates offseason rumors we wish came true, but didn't

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the offseason with a clear mission: fix the worst offense in baseball.

To their credit, general manager Ben Cherington and the front office did make upgrades. The lineup looks deeper than it did in 2025. But the biggest hole on the roster — third base — remains glaringly unresolved.

Ever since the Pirates traded Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds at last year’s deadline, the hot corner has been the most obvious gap on the roster. Throughout the winter, several rumors surfaced connecting Pittsburgh to potential solutions.

Each one made sense. Each one excited the fan base. And ultimately, none of them happened.

Let's take a look back at three rumors from this offseason that Pirates fans wish had come true.

3 Pirates offseason rumors fans wish came true, but didn't

Signing Eugenio Suárez in free agency

For a long stretch of the offseason, Eugenio Suárez felt like the answer. The veteran slugger checked nearly every box the Pirates needed as a right-handed power bat and a respected clubhouse presence. Coming off a 49-home run season, he represented exactly the kind of impact hitter Pittsburgh’s offense lacked.

As the winter dragged on and Suárez remained unsigned, Pirates fans began to believe the stars might align in their. favor. Perhaps the market would soften. Perhaps the Pirates could sneak in and land the biggest bat left available.

Instead, the nightmare scenario unfolded. Suárez signed with the Cincinnati Reds, meaning he’ll now share a lineup with the very player the Pirates traded away: Hayes. Not only did Pittsburgh miss out on a solution — they helped strengthen a division rival. For a team trying to climb in the NL Central, that sting will linger.

Trading for Mark Vientos

If free agency wasn’t going to produce a solution, the trade market offered intrigue. One name that surfaced frequently was New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos.

Vientos broke out in 2024 with 27 home runs, flashing the kind of right-handed power that would immediately upgrade the Pirates’ lineup. At just 23 years old, he also fit the timeline of a young core built around players like Paul Skenes and the next wave of prospects coming through the system.

The Mets reportedly considered dealing Vientos due to a crowded infield, which made the rumor feel realistic. But there was a catch: Vientos’ production dipped in 2025, creating hesitation for both sides. New York wasn’t eager to sell low, and Pittsburgh likely questioned whether his breakout season was sustainable.

The result? Talks never materialized into a deal. But for Pirates fans, Vientos represented something the roster desperately needs: a young power hitter who could grow with the team.

Trading for Isaac Paredes

Another intriguing possibility was Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros. Unlike Vientos, Paredes already had a track record as a proven impact bat. A 2024 All-Star with more than 100 home runs over four seasons, he has established himself as one of the league’s most consistent right-handed power threats.

That profile made Paredes extremely appealing for Pittsburgh. The Pirates needed someone who could step into the lineup immediately and provide thump behind the middle of the order, and he certainly fits that description.

But there were complications. For one, Houston values Paredes highly and likely demanded a significant return. There were also questions about how well his pull-heavy power profile would translate to PNC Park, which isn’t exactly friendly to right-handed hitters. Ultimately, the Pirates never pulled the trigger.

None of these rumors resulted in a deal — and that leaves the Pirates entering the season with uncertainty at third base.

Jared Triolo remains the most likely option for now, but he profiles more as a defensive utility player than a long-term offensive solution. For a team trying to maximize its window while Skenes dominates on the mound, that’s a risk.

Improving the worst offense in baseball was step one. But solving third base? That was supposed to be the easy part.