Pirates could make embarrassing decision with Jared Triolo before lockout

The Pittsburgh Pirates have serious questions to answer about their infield defense heading into 2027. Getting rid of one of their best defensive players to save less than $2 million would be a particularly embarrassing way to address them.

In its recent offseason outlook, MLB Trade Rumors identified Jared Triolo as a potential non-tender candidate, despite the fact that he was a National League Gold Glove finalist at the utility position in 2026. His projected arbitration salary is just $1.8 million.

There's no indication that the Pirates have actually decided to move on from Triolo. But the fact that he's even being discussed as a potential casualty raises questions about how Pittsburgh plans to construct its roster — and perhaps more importantly, whether the Pirates understand how to maximize the value of the players they already have.

Pirates would be making a mistake by non-tendering Jared Triolo

Triolo has become a somewhat divisive player among Pirates fans, and it's not particularly difficult to understand why.

His offensive limitations are undeniable. He hit just .238 with three home runs and a .609 OPS in 2026, hardly the type of production Pittsburgh needs from someone receiving regular playing time. But there's an important distinction between a player who shouldn't be an everyday starter and one who doesn't deserve a roster spot.

Triolo falls firmly into the former category. The Pirates have repeatedly asked him to fill an everyday role despite his offensive shortcomings. That's a roster construction problem, not necessarily an indictment of Triolo's value. In fact, his defensive versatility makes him exactly the type of player Pittsburgh should want coming off the bench.

Triolo appeared at five different positions in 2026 and finished with five Defensive Runs Saved. He's also a former Gold Glove winner, having earned the utility award in 2024. Those contributions become even more valuable when considering the Pirates' current infield situation.

Nick Gonzales enjoyed a breakout offensive season, hitting .303, but his defensive struggles at third base were impossible to ignore. He finished with minus-15 Defensive Runs Saved and minus-11 Outs Above Average, ranking among baseball's worst defenders at the position.

Pittsburgh desperately needs a more reliable defensive solution at the hot corner. Triolo shouldn't necessarily be that solution on an everyday basis, but having him available as a defensive replacement, occasional starter and versatile bench option would provide considerable flexibility. And at a projected $1.8 million, that flexibility isn't particularly expensive.

Of course, the Pirates have legitimate reasons to evaluate every roster spot carefully. Their offense still needs significant improvement, and carrying too many light-hitting players would only compound the problems that plagued them in 2026. But non-tendering Triolo wouldn't suddenly solve those offensive issues. If anything, it would create another hole on a roster that already has plenty of them.

The Pirates don't need to pretend Triolo is an everyday player to recognize that he has value. They need to put him in a position where that value can actually make a difference.

With the November 20 non-tender deadline approaching, Pittsburgh has an opportunity to make the sensible decision. Tender Triolo a contract, establish a more appropriate role for him and focus on finding the offensive upgrades this lineup actually needs.

The mistake wouldn't be keeping a limited offensive player on the roster. It would be continuing to misuse him — or, worse, deciding he's expendable because the Pirates never figured out how to use him properly.

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