As spring training draws near, the Pittsburgh Pirates are making it clear-they’re not content to stand pat. After shoring up a pitching staff they believe can be the backbone of their 2026 campaign, the front office is now turning its attention to a lingering question mark: third base. It’s not just about filling a position-it’s about finding a long-term fit who brings pop to the lineup, consistency in the field, and, crucially for a team that watches its payroll closely, cost control.
Enter the New York Mets.
The Mets have a bit of a logjam at third after acquiring Bo Bichette, and that could open the door for a deal. With Bichette likely to command everyday reps, it leaves young, controllable infielders like Brett Baty and Mark Vientos potentially available. For a Pirates team that thrives on pre-arbitration talent, that’s music to the front office’s ears.
According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who spoke on “93.7 The Fan” on February 13, the Pirates are actively exploring the trade market and have their eyes on multiple third base options-possibly as many as six. Baty and Vientos check all the right boxes: they’re affordable, have upside, and come with years of team control. That’s the kind of flexibility Pittsburgh covets.
Right now, Jared Triolo is penciled in at the hot corner, but the Pirates aren’t shy about stirring competition. With Opening Day on the horizon, don’t be surprised if they make a move to bring in a young bat to push Triolo-or potentially take over the job outright.
While the front office works the phones, the organization is also mourning the loss of a true legend.
On February 12, the Pirates announced that Elroy Face, a franchise icon and pioneer of modern relief pitching, passed away at the age of 97 in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, just days shy of his 98th birthday. Face was inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2023 and still holds the club record for appearances with 802 over 15 seasons.
Known as the “Baron of the Bullpen,” Face was a trailblazer in the art of relief pitching long before it became the specialized science it is today. His 96 career wins in relief remain an NL record, and his jaw-dropping 18-1 season in 1959 is the stuff of baseball folklore. He played a pivotal role in Pittsburgh’s 1960 World Series title and left a legacy that stretches far beyond the box score.
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting honored Face’s memory, calling him a “key force” in the club’s historic championship run and a foundational figure in the evolution of the bullpen role. Face is survived by his three children and his sister.
As the Pirates prepare for a new season, they do so with one eye on the future-and one heart firmly rooted in their storied past.