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First Base Options For The Pirates

Pirates GM Neal Huntington recently expressed interest in finding a platoon partner for Garrett Jones at first base next year, specifically a right-handed hitter who performs well against southpaws.  MLBTR has eleven names to kick around; here they are with their work against lefties since 2008:

• Mike Napoli - .321 batting average/.415 on-base percentage/.608 slugging percentage.  Napoli would be an expensive platoon bat, as he'll be getting a raise on this year's $3.6MM salary.  He could help out behind the dish as well, but the Bucs already have Chris Snyder and Ryan Doumit under contract and may try to move the latter. 
• Garrett Atkins - .297/.375/.468.  Atkins struggled against righties and lefties this year with the Orioles, but he'd only be a minor league signing. 
• Ryan Garko - .294/.373/.443.  Same story as Atkins. 
• Fernando Tatis - .286/.367/.435.  He's in line for a minor league deal as well, but will be battling back from July labrum surgery. 
• Ty Wigginton - .273/.353/.425.  The Mets traded Wiggy, Jose Bautista, and Matt Peterson to the Pirates in '04 for Kris Benson and Jeff Keppinger.  Pirates GM Dave Littlefield released Wigginton in advance of the '05 Rule 5 draft so he could take Victor Santos from the Royals. 
• Melvin Mora - .283/.351/.471.  He's had a resurgent year; perhaps the Rockies will look to re-sign him.  Mora would be a viable candidate for the Pirates, though most of his first base experience is limited to this year.
• Andruw Jones - .215/.350/.427.  He's logged only eight career games at first base. 
• Troy Glaus - .222/.350/.405.  Glaus could be signed on the cheap with the hope that his power returns. 
• Jorge Cantu - .286/.349/.464.  Cantu's stock is down, but he could be a buy-low opportunity. 
• Juan Rivera - .285/.335/.514.  Rivera's a trade candidate, but the Angels would have to pick up much of his $5.25MM salary for 2011.  Doumit will earn a similar amount, but he's not a great fit for the Halos. 
• Marcus Thames - .264/.332/.504.  He doesn't have a ton of first base experience (44 games), but he will be coming off a fine season for the Yankees. 

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