When grouper fishing season ends at the close of December on the Gulf, John Jaso plans on leaving his 23-foot boat moored at its St. Petersburg, Fla., dock to begin a regular commute he made a year ago. Last January, Jaso traveled three days a week from his offseason home in St. Petersburg Fla. to the Pirate City backfields to begin learning first base. A year later, Jaso will be making the same trip to learn a new position — third base — and also work in the outfield, where he played on occasion with the Tampa Bay Rays. Jaso logged one inning in right field last season. “It will probably be more than three days a week,â€? Jaso said. “I want to increase my chances for playing time. That’s what I want to do: I want to play.â€? Jaso said he was approached about the idea of playing third base and outfield by the Pirates, who are seeking additional options at third base given Jung Ho Kang’s legal issues and uncertain status for the start of the season. Josh Bell appears to be locked in at first base with Neal Huntington saying Thursday the club plans to “holdâ€? Andrew McCutchen. Jaso said he ordered a third baseman’s glove. “I’m waiting for that thing to come. When it does, it’s go time,â€? said Jaso, who is entering the final year of a two-year pact. “One thing I had catching, I feel like, was a strong arm.â€? Jaso was forced out from behind the plate because of concussions. He made the transition to first base last season and committed five errors in 108 games played. No Cole contract talk Gerrit Cole already has had an eventful offseason, marrying the sister of San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford last month in his native Southern California. The best gift? “All-Clad pans and all our dishware,â€? Cole said. Did his agent, Scott Boras, gift well? “He did,â€? Cole said. And at some point, Cole and Boras must negotiate a contract for 2017, the first year Cole is eligible for arbitration. The arbitration process can be ugly for players, as teams enumerate their blemishes and weaknesses before an arbitrator. Knowing that, the Pirates are likely motivated to strike a deal with their ace, who was upset with being paid near the league minimum last season. Cole said talks have not started. “I haven’t really got into it yet,â€? Cole said. “Not quite sure when all that stuff starts.â€? Cole said he will begin an offseason throwing program next week. Cole said there will be no significant changes to the program after an injury-riddled 2016 campaign. Cora reveals philosophy Joey Cora, who replaced Rick Sofield as the club’s baserunning coach, was asked about his base-running philosophy Saturday. “We don’t have Billy Hamilton, but we have a bunch of guys that can run,â€? Cora said. “We want to emphasize that we can score from first, score from second on a base hit.â€? Freese on Kang Freese said Saturday he is available for Kang if needed. “I’m here for him if he ever needs me,â€? Freese said. “I have a couple DUIs. It’s a serious thing.â€? Odds and ends Freese said Adam Frazier will work at shortstop this spring, where he is a candidate to be the club’s No. 2 shortstop. … The key for top positional prospect Austin Meadows going forward? Staying healthy, said Cora, who managed Meadows in Double-A. … Core also managed top middle infield prospect Kevin Newman: “By the end of the year, he was one of the best — if not the best — shortstop in the (Double-A Eastern League).â€? Travis Sawchik is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at tsawchik@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Sawchik_Trib. Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.