The Pittsburgh Pirates have been steadily reshaping their roster this offseason, and while they’ve made some notable additions, there’s still one piece that hasn’t quite fallen into place: infield depth. As spring training gets underway, that could be changing.
According to MLB insider Chris Cotillo, the Pirates are in talks with veteran infielder Emmanuel Rivera, who spent last season with the Baltimore Orioles. Rivera, 29, brings versatility and experience to the table - a corner infielder who can handle both third and first base, and someone who fits the mold of a reliable bench contributor.
Rivera’s game isn’t built around power or flash. He’s more of a contact-first hitter who can give you professional at-bats and put the ball in play.
Last season with Baltimore, he posted a .250 average with 13 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .291. Those numbers won’t jump off the page, but for a team like Pittsburgh looking to round out its bench with capable, flexible depth, Rivera makes sense.
The Pirates have already been active this winter, adding names like Ryan O’Hearn, Marcell Ozuna, Jake Mangum, and Jhostynxon Garcia. It’s clear the front office is intent on building a more complete and competitive roster heading into 2026. But even with those moves, there’s still a noticeable gap when it comes to backup infield options - especially someone who can slide into either corner spot when needed.
That’s where Rivera could carve out a role. He’s not here to take over a starting job, but on a team that’s trying to improve its depth and stay competitive over the long grind of a 162-game season, players like Rivera often prove more valuable than their stat lines suggest. He brings a steady glove, a contact bat, and the kind of veteran presence that can quietly stabilize a clubhouse.
If the Pirates do finalize a deal, it would be another smart, if understated, addition to what’s shaping up to be a quietly productive offseason. With Opening Day set for March 26 on the road against the New York Mets, Pittsburgh still has time to fine-tune the roster - and Rivera might just be the next piece to fall into place.