🔥 HOT NEWS: Having once pursued Arenado, A’s now faces the harsh reality: no one is good enough to hold onto the hot corner ⚡ .MH

The story surrounding the Athletics this season sounds familiar: a young, energetic, and exciting lineup. Nick Kurtz. Tyler Soderstrom. Shea Langeliers. Jacob Wilson. Lawrence Butler. Brent Rooker and Jeff McNeil providing experience behind them. Seven names—seven positions—almost certainly locked in.

But precisely because the pitching is so fragile, the remaining two spots in the lineup are more precarious than ever. And of those two positions, third base is the most worrying problem.

Since Matt Chapman left, the Athletics’ hot corner has been like a temporary stopover. Sheldon Neuse, Jonah Bride, Kevin Smith, Jace Peterson, Jordan Diaz, Abraham Toro, Gio Urshela… the list goes on, but no one is good enough to stay. No one has truly “taken” that position.

Entering 2026, that problem remains unresolved.

Internal: Many options, little confidence

Max Muncy has a good record—first-round pick—but that’s where it ends. His third-round defense remains a big question mark, and his offense isn’t convincing enough to compensate. His plate discipline is alarming, and his swing-and-miss with breaking balls isn’t new. Muncy’s most logical path right now sounds familiar: utility infielder, not a long-term solution.

Darrell Hernaiz brings what the A’s are lacking: consistent ball-touch. Good zone-contact rate right from his MLB debut. Triple-A shows a “decent” profile: decent average, potential OBP, good running. Power is limited, but the A’s aren’t lacking in power. With more time, Hernaiz could even become a good third-round defender. But the development ceiling is clearly not high.

Bretcher Harris is the “safest” option—at least defensively. He’s a natural third baseman, familiar with the position, and doesn’t pose a major risk with gloves. But bat is almost at its limit: low exit velocity, no real power. To survive, the open-ended bid (OBP) and defense will have to bear the entire cost. And that’s a gamble that’s not easy to win.

Three names. Three paths. And none of them truly inspire confidence.

Outside: opportunities exist, but they’re not cheap.

As were once rumored to be interested in Nolan Arenado—and that alone speaks volumes about the desperation. The free agent third-base market, already thin, is now even more cutthroat.

Miguel Andujar is the most attractive option. As fans know who he is. Bat plays well, especially against lefties, and can upgrade the lineup immediately. But everyone understands the defense. And more importantly: money and five years on the contract. Andujar is no longer in the “prove-it deal” phase.

Ramon Urias offers a stable “floor”—playing near league average, experienced, and not flashy. But the defense at third base isn’t good, and if chosen, this is more of a signing driven by lack of options than by belief.

The trade path is more interesting.

Jace Jung (Detroit) has clear upside: patience, hidden power, and a past top prospect. The Tigers no longer see him central to their plans. The price might be lower. But the swing is long, the contact isn’t stable—and A’s would have to gamble on development.

Nick Yorke (Pittsburgh) might be the most attractive name in terms of overall upside. But the Pirates value him higher than Jung, and two rebuilding teams often struggle to reach a reasonable price.

The uncomfortable truth

A’s is in a dangerous gray area: not strong enough to sell prospects, not weak enough to experiment indiscriminately, and not rich enough to buy clear-cut solutions. In that context, expecting a league-average result at third base is almost… pure luck.

Pitching remains the number one priority. But neglecting third base is putting A’s in a difficult position where they can’t afford to be inconspicuous—especially when the rest of the lineup is ready to win.

And when a team starts the season hoping and praying in the hot corner, it’s usually not a sign of a well-thought-out plan.