Five First Base Candidates for Pirates to Consider
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ first base situation in 2024 consisted of a Rowdy Tellez/Connor Joe platoon.
Tellez had underwhelming production, slashing .243/.299/.392, along with just 13 homers, while Joe struggled against left-handed pitching in the second half.
For the Pirates, first base will once again be a main priority to address this offseason. Going thru potential candidates, here are five the Bucs should consider.
Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana was the Pirates first baseman, for most of 2023, before getting moved to the Milwaukee Brewers around the trade deadline, in exchange for infield prospect Jhonny Severino.
Last offseason, the Minnesota Twins came to terms with Santana, on a one-year deal worth $5.25 million.
The 38-year-old switch-hitter had solid numbers offensively for the Twins. In 594 plate appearances, he hit 23 home runs, while posting a wRC+ of 114.
Going by the defensive metrics, Santana is coming off his best season, registering +14 Outs Above Average, along with +8 Defensive Runs Saved. Those figures were enough for him to capture the first Gold Glove award of his career.
A reunion between the Pirates and Santana certainly shouldn’t be out of the question.
Josh Naylor
Josh Naylor finished up his fifth season as a member of the Cleveland Guardians.
2024 was yet another productive year, for the 27-year-old Naylor, who became a first time All-Star. He had a 118 wRC+, in 633 plate appearances, while putting up career-highs in homers (31) and RBI (108).
The defensive figures weren’t kind to Naylor this past season, as he registered a -6 OAA and +1 DRS.
Many expect the Guardians to move Naylor in the offseason, not only given his projected $12 million, in his final year of arbitration, but because they have Kyle Manzardo, as a first base prospect waiting in the wings.
Cleveland’s starting rotation isn’t a strength for them, so they might want to deal Naylor for pitching, and the Pirates would seem to be an ideal trade partner.
Nathaniel Lowe
Perhaps one of the more underrated players in the American League currently is Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.
In 140 games this year, Lowe was close to a three-win player, with a 2.8 fWAR. Offensively, he posted a 121 wRC+. His .361 on base percentage was fourth highest among MLB first basemen.
Lowe is projected to make $10.7 million this offseason, as he will be arbitration eligible for a third time.
Ryan Mountcastle
The Baltimore Orioles may have had the most productive platoon in 2024 regarding first base, with Ryan O’Hearn and Ryan Mountcastle.
From the right side of the plate, Mountcastle hit lefties well, as he slashed .306/.350/.463.
As Mountcastle enters this winter being arbitration eligible for a second time, his projected figure is at $6.6 million.
Similar to the Guardians, the Orioles are also in need of rotation help. Pittsburgh and Baltimore were trading partners in the summer, with a prospect swap involving Patrick Reilly and Billy Cook.
Yandy Díaz
Yandy Díaz had himself a career year with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, where he was the AL batting champion (.330 average), as well as a five-win player (5.2 bWAR).
After posting a .932 OPS in ‘23, Díaz’s offensive production wasn’t as good this past season, with an OPS of .755, which is still a respectable figure.
If nothing else, Díaz can do major damage against lefty pitching, slashing a career line of .311/.394/.501.
Defense at first base has never been Díaz’s strong suit, and 2024 was no different, as he registered a -5 DRS and -3 OAA.
Díaz is owed $10 million next season, and has 2026 club option for $12 million.
For a Pirates team, who struck out a ton this year, Díaz would provide a solid, approach at the plate, with a career strikeout rate of only 15.0%.