What Will the Athletics Do at Third Base?

Max Muncy

2025 Stats: .214/.259/.379, 9 HR, 1 SB, 72 wRC+

2026 Steamer Projection: .239/.296/.392, 9 HR, 3 SB, 88 wRC+

The former first-round pick from 2021 earned his debut after a strong finish to 2024 and solid start to 2025 in Triple-A. Although he played mostly short and some second coming up, Muncy saw the most action at third in 2025. Outside of a utility bench role, his best path in 2026 is as the A’s third baseman.

Sure, Muncy’s first-round selection looks great on a baseball resume, but I struggle to see where he could become an impact player. Defensively, he’s a problem. Maybe he improves over time, but the A’s would be sacrificing defense for mediocre offensive production in 2026.

Muncy does not need to become a power hitter. The A’s have plenty of that. In order for Muncy to carve out a role, he’ll have to provide value elsewhere. But his plate discipline and swing-and-miss, especially against non fastballs, is alarming.

We have seen young players struggle in their first major-league stint and improve on pitch recognition before. It’s a possible route for Muncy, but the same issues date back to the minors as well. I think a backup utility infielder role is the more likely outcome for Muncy rather than becoming the starting third baseman.

Darell Hernaiz

2025 Stats: .231/.292/.306, 2 HR, 3 SB, 65 wRC+

2026 Steamer Projections: .264/.327/.373, 2 HR, 3 SB, 94 wRC+

In terms of offensive profile, Hernaiz is not far off from Muncy. They’re both righty bats with limitations, but Hernaiz comes with a better bat-to-ball ability. In fact, making contact is what led to Hernaiz reaching the majors and will likely be what allows him to stick.

This past season, albeit a small sample, Hernaiz produced an 85.8% zone-contact rate, three percent better than league average in his first stint in the majors. In Triple-A, he slashed .305/.383/.434 while racking up 28 doubles and four home runs.

His swing will lead to more ground balls and line drives, which will cap his home run potential. But like I said earlier, the A’s do not need more power — they need a sufficient hitter. A good runner and average defender who was much better at short, Hernaiz could become a plus defender at third with more time on task.

Brett Harris

2025 Stats: .274/.349/.342, 0 HR, 1 SB, 96 wRC+

2026 Steamer Projection: .233/.314/.365, 4 HR, 2 SB, 89 wRC+

Okay, tell me if you have heard this already. A third baseman that is more contact than power and comes with limitations that cap his ceiling close to his floor. Sound like the other options? That’s right!

Harris, like the others, does not make hard contact and has shown an above-average hit tool throughout the minors. I was pretty high on him when I first watched back in 2023, but his development has not kept pace and the lack of power is tough to overlook.

Of the three, Harris is the most natural third baseman and has logged, by far, the most innings at the hot corner. Defensively, I think he’s the most prepared of the bunch to contribute immediately.

However, there are not a lot of major leaguers who find success posting an average exit velocity around 86 mph. In order to carve out a role, the defense will have to be significantly better and his OBP will have to carry the weight offensively.

Outside Options

Entering free agency third base was already a thin position. Alex Bregman headlined the class and has since signed a massive deal with the Cubs. Eugenio Suarez is still a free agent, but I don’t think his market will come down enough to fit the A’s. I do think Yoan Moncada would have been a great fit, but he just inked a deal to return to the Angels.

Here are four under-the-radar targets the A’s could think about adding ahead of the 2026 season.

Miguel Andujar

2025 Stats: .318/.353/.470, 10 HR, 125 wRC+

A’s fans, you know Andujar well. I did not think a return would be possible, but there have been rumors about the A’s interest in bringing back Andujar. He would immediatley make this lineup much better, especially against lefties, and offer another veteran to lead a young clubhouse. Defensively, you would rather him play elsewhere, but hey, the bat makes up for it.

I’m sure this will come down to money and term. Andujar has bounced around enough and proven himself worthy of a two-or-more-year deal. Whether or not the A’s are willing to match that price is the question.

Ramon Urias

2025 Stas: .241/.292/.384, 11 HR, 87 wRC+

The brother of former A’s infielder Luis Urias, Ramon would bring a solid floor to the position. He’s hit lefties well throughout his career and has hovered around league average offensively. I wouldn’t say this is a slam dunk signing, but it would at least add a veteran to a group that lacks stability.

His defense at third is a problem. The A’s would prefer to have him at second, but they aren’t exactly in a position where they can be choosey.

Jace Jung (Trade w/ DET)

2025 MILB Stats: .252/.370/.447, 17 HR, 124 wRC+

Detroit needs to find their own third baseman, but all indications point to Jung being down the depth chart. The former top 100 prospect has struggled in brief stints in the majors but has hit well enough in the minors to deserve a longer runway.

Jung features a patient approach. He draws walks, shoots gaps, and flashes the power upside to breach 20 home runs. Putting it all together and making enough contact with his long swing is the next step. I doubt the cost to acquire him will be steep considering the current front office did not draft Jung and others have surpassed him within Detroit’s organization.

Nick Yorke (Trade w/ PIT)

2025 MILB Stats: .287/.348/.406, 7 HR, 104 wRC+

Yorke was acquired by the Pirates in a deal with Boston but currently looks to be on the outside looking in, or seems stuck in a bench role. Pittsburgh acquiring Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn this winter, and Spencer Horwitz last offseason, has made Yorke’s path much more complicated.

What a deal might look like is hard to say. I think Pittsburgh would value Yorke higher than the Tigers value Jung, and getting two teams who are still rebuilding to match on value can be tough. But, Yorke would offer perhaps the highest upside of the two trade targets.

Final Thoughts

The A’s are in a tough position in that they are not quite good enough to wheel and deal their prospects, but they’re not bad enough to just throw any young player out in an everyday role. Oh yeah, they also don’t spend enough to make an addition that would be a clear upgrade.

When a team falls into this category, they need as many darts as they can get to throw at the board. The current three is not enough from a volume or talent standpoint. The answer isn’t waiting in the upper minors, either.

While pitching should take the priority, the A’s should not avoid looking to improve third base. Because as it stands today, they would be hoping and praying for a league-average outcome.