The St. Louis Cardinals are looking for “a short-term solution at third base,” according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The search comes after the team struggled to establish a reliable everyday third baseman during the 2026 season.
The position was primarily shared by Nolan Gorman, who made 66 appearances at third base, and rookie Blaze Jordan, who played 52 games there. However, neither player performed consistently enough to secure the job. Gorman, 26, appeared in 85 games and recorded a .184/.272/.308 slash line, along with nine home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .580 OPS. Jordan, 23, finished with a .247/.276/.382 slash line, three home runs, 28 RBIs, and a .658 OPS.
Third Base Emerged as a Weakness for the Cardinals in 2026
According to FanGraphs, Gorman finished the 2026 season with a -0.3 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), while Jordan recorded a 0.1 WAR. With neither player establishing himself as a dependable option, the Cardinals appear to be targeting a temporary replacement while evaluating their long-term plans at third base.
St. Louis traded third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, and Arenado rebounded in 2026. He hit 30 home runs and posted an .806 OPS across 522 plate appearances.
According to MLB.com, potential free-agent targets include Alec Bohm, Eugenio Suárez, Edmundo Sosa, Ramón Urías, Yoán Moncada, Luis Rengifo, Amed Rosario, Santiago Espinal, Kiké Hernández, Jeimer Candelario, Leo Jiménez, and Josh Rojas. Bo Bichette could also enter the conversation, depending on whether he opts out of his current contract with the Mets.
Free-Agent Third-Base Options for St. Louis
Among the leading free-agent possibilities are Eugenio Suárez, Edmundo Sosa, and Alec Bohm.
Suárez, 35, hit .212 in 2026, recording 26 home runs, 74 RBIs, and a .740 OPS. Although he offers power at the plate, his defensive limitations remain a concern. Baseball Savant credited him with -7 Outs Above Average (OAA) during the season, highlighting his struggles defensively at third base.
Sosa, a 30-year-old utility player, brings versatility with experience at third base, shortstop, and second base. He hit .247 with nine home runs, 44 RBIs, and a .712 OPS in 2026. His defensive performance could make him an appealing option, as he recorded four OAA, placing him in the 85th percentile, according to Baseball Savant.
Sosa has also demonstrated an ability to hit left-handed pitching. In 124 plate appearances against lefties, he batted .290 with six home runs, 23 RBIs, a .343 on-base percentage, a .492 slugging percentage, and an .835 OPS, according to ESPN. His defensive versatility and success against left-handers could make him one of the more intriguing candidates for St. Louis as the team explores the free-agent market.
Another possibility is fellow former Phillie Alec Bohm. The right-handed hitter had a disappointing offensive season in 2026, but his ability to make contact could appeal to the Cardinals. According to Baseball Savant, Bohm posted a strikeout rate of just 14%, placing him in the 88th percentile. He also tends to avoid excessive whiffs and chasing pitches outside the strike zone.
Yankees Could Explore a Trade Involving Ryan McMahon
On the trade market, New York Post writer Joel Sherman reported that the Yankees could look to move third baseman Ryan McMahon this offseason.
McMahon has historically been an elite defender, but his defensive performance declined in 2026, while his offensive struggles continued. According to Spotrac, he has one year remaining on his contract, worth $16 million.
New York might need to absorb part of McMahon’s salary or include a promising prospect or two to facilitate a trade. Despite posting a disappointing .636 OPS in 2026, McMahon is only 31 years old and could still fit the Cardinals’ search for a “short-term” third-base solution if they decide to pursue a trade.
With several free agents available and potential trade targets emerging, St. Louis has multiple avenues to address the position while determining who could become its long-term answer at third base.
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