As the Cardinals continue building around their young core under president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, addressing the third-base position could become one of their priorities heading into the 2027 season. With Nolan Arenado no longer in the picture, St. Louis does not have an established option to take over the position, potentially creating an opportunity to bring in an experienced veteran.
According to a report by Curt Bishop of Heavy, Suárez is among the external options that could make sense for the Cardinals. MLB.com’s Will Leitch identified the two-time All-Star as a possible fit, suggesting that St. Louis could consider taking a chance on the veteran as he attempts to rebuild his value in free agency.
Eugenio Suárez Could Give Cardinals Another Power Bat
Suárez enjoyed another productive season in terms of power, finishing the 2026 campaign with 26 home runs and 74 RBIs. However, his overall offensive production was less impressive, as he recorded a .212 batting average, .307 on-base percentage and .433 slugging percentage.
The 35-year-old also finished with a .740 OPS and 0.6 WAR, raising questions about whether he can consistently provide the offensive production the Cardinals need.
Nevertheless, his home-run ability remains an attractive quality. St. Louis could benefit from adding another experienced power hitter, particularly as the organization looks to improve its offensive production.
However, there are legitimate concerns about how Suárez would perform at Busch Stadium. The ballpark has historically been challenging for power hitters, and its pitcher-friendly dimensions could affect his home-run production.
His struggles to maintain a respectable batting average are another potential concern. If his power numbers decline after joining St. Louis, the Cardinals might not receive the offensive boost they are looking for.
Cardinals Have Other Third-Base Options to Consider
Suárez is not the only potential external candidate mentioned in the discussion.
Other possibilities include Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes and New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon. Both players could offer St. Louis another option, although their contractual situations and recent offensive performances could complicate potential moves.
Other names worth considering include Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm and Japanese star Teruaki Sato, who could also attract interest from several MLB organizations.
Despite the available options, the Cardinals might ultimately decide that promoting or retaining an internal candidate is a better approach.
With Bloom continuing to prioritize the organization’s long-term development, spending significant resources on a short-term third-base solution might not be the most appealing strategy.
Cardinals Must Make the Right Offseason Decision
The Cardinals have several decisions to make as they prepare for the 2027 campaign. Finding a dependable third baseman would help address an important roster need, but the organization must also consider its long-term financial and competitive priorities.
Suárez brings experience and considerable power, but his declining batting average and potential difficulties at Busch Stadium make him a risky option.
St. Louis could certainly consider the former Reds star, but whether he represents the right solution remains debatable.
For now, the Cardinals will have to evaluate their available options before deciding whether to pursue an established veteran or trust their internal talent to fill the position.
