PITTSBURGH - The first base position in Pittsburgh is going to be crowded in 2017. Top prospect Josh Bell arrived in 2016, and is expected to get most of the workload at the position. The Pirates signed David Freese to an extension at the end of the 2016 season, and he should continue to get some time at first base, when he's not backing up third for Jung Ho Kang.
That doesn't leave much time for John Jaso, who was signed to a two-year, $8 M deal last year. To help solve this problem, Jaso will be working at third base and the outfield, giving him some positional flexibility and giving the Pirates more opportunities to use him.