Pirates Reportedly Interested In Signing All-Star Free Agent Hitter

The Pittsburgh Pirates could look to make another significant lineup move by signing one of the top remaining free-agent sluggers.

Although they have already traded for Brandon Lowe and signed Ryan O’Hearn, the Pirates are still seeking offensive upgrades. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal updated their pursuit of third baseman Eugenio Suárez.

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Rosenthal said on Monday’s “Foul Territory” that the Pirates are interested in Suárez. However, the insider believes the 34-year-old may want to join a clearer contender.

“If Eugenio Suárez can go to Boston — if he can return to one of his former teams, Seattle or Arizona, that might be his preference,” Rosenthal said.

Suárez earned his second All-Star nod when he hit 36 of his 49 home runs for the Diamondbacks, who traded him to the Mariners on the July 31 deadline. The right-hander struggled down the stretch, batting .189/.255/.428 with 79 strikeouts in 53 games.

While that prolonged slump indicates some risk, Suárez remains a consistent power source who’s deposited 308 home runs over the last decade. The highly durable veteran has also missed only seven games in the last three years, logging more than 570 plate appearances in each of the previous nine full seasons.

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The Pirates produced an MLB-low 117 home runs last year, and Suárez matched the combined long-ball tally of their three leaders (20 from Oneil Cruz, 16 from Bryan Reynolds, 13 from Andrew McCutchen). Their third basemen collectively hit .222 with six homers.

Suárez would give Pittsburgh a massive offensive boost at the hot corner, but the Pirates could face competition for his services.

More MLB: Pirates Reportedly ‘Not Done’ Amid Active Offseason

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