Nick Gonzales has quietly forced his way into a bigger role for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and suddenly third base is not as simple as Jared Triolo returning from the injured list and taking the job back.

On today’s episode of OffBeat, Alex Stumpf looks at the Pirates’ third base situation, why Gonzales has earned real playing time, and why Triolo’s Gold Glove defense still matters for a team with serious defensive issues elsewhere on the field. The conversation goes beyond offense, digging into how the Pirates can best support a young pitching staff, especially with outfield defense becoming a real concern.

Is Nick Gonzales the right everyday answer at third base? Should Jared Triolo be closer to a 50/50 split? And how much should defense matter when the Pirates finally have more offense in the lineup?

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