Pirates Unlikely to Acquire Phillies Third Baseman
The Pittsburgh Pirates are positioning themselves for the 2026 MLB season, aiming to bolster their infield. Despite recent additions, the team finds itself in need of a corner infielder following the departure of Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Pirates Trade Hayes to Reds
At the trade deadline, the Pirates dealt Hayes, along with $30 million remaining on his contract, to the Cincinnati Reds. This move allowed Pittsburgh to invest in new talent, including:
- Ryan O’Hearn: A versatile slugger who will play first base, serve as designated hitter, and fill roles in the corner outfield.
- Brandon Lowe: A second baseman who hit 31 home runs in 2025.
With these acquisitions, the right side of the infield is set, but the search for a third baseman continues.
Alec Bohm’s Status with Phillies
A key potential acquisition for the Pirates was Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm. However, the recent signing of star infielder Bo Bichette by the Philadelphia Phillies means that Bohm is presumably off the trading block.
Bichette signed a lucrative deal with the New York Mets—three years for $126 million—on January 16, 2026, after the Phillies’ offer of seven years and $200 million was declined. As a result, the Phillies are unlikely to pursue further infield additions, which diminishes Bohm’s chances of being traded.
Bohm’s Performance and Potential Impact
Alec Bohm has been a dependable starter for the Phillies since 2020, maintaining a solid batting average of .279 over 719 games. His standout statistics include:
| Season | Games | Batting Average | On-Base % | Slugging % | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 44 | .338 | .400 | .481 | .881 |
| 2021 | 115 | .247 | .305 | .342 | .647 |
| 2022 | 152 | .280 | .315 | .398 | .713 |
| 2023 | 145 | .274 | .327 | .437 | .765 |
| 2024 | 143 | .280 | .332 | .448 | .779 |
| 2025 | 120 | .287 | .331 | .409 | .741 |
His consistent hitting would have significantly enhanced the Pirates’ lineup, as he would have led the team in various offensive categories last season.
Future Third Base Options for the Pirates
With Bohm likely remaining in Philadelphia, the Pirates are exploring other third base options. Potential targets include:
- Eugenio Suárez: The free agent slugger hit 49 home runs in 2025. However, his expected contract of $60-80 million may be too steep for the Pirates.
- Trade Prospects: Alternatives may include players like Brent Baty or Mark Vientos from the Mets, especially given the latter’s recent acquisitions.
The Pirates may need to adopt a creative approach in their offseason strategy to successfully acquire a capable infielder for the upcoming season.
