Third base has been, to put it lightly, underwhelming for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. Entering play on Friday, Pirate third basemen were among the least productive in the entire National League.
Lack of production from the hot corner for the Pirates is a big reason the team has struggled offensively this season. Pirate third basemen rank 12th in the NL in home runs hit (7), and have the highest strikeout rate (27.1%). This group ranks dead last in the league in on-base percentage (.257), slugging percentage (.332), wRC+ (58), and fWAR (-0.6).
So, to say the team needs help at third base is putting it lightly.