Headlines

  • Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez
  • Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff
  • Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Bobby Jenks Passes Away
  • Braves Release Alex Verdugo
  • Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

First Base Options For The Pirates

By Tim Dierkes | September 27, 2010 at 7:07am CDT

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. 
Share 0 Retweet 5 Send via email0

Pittsburgh Pirates

Jays Relievers Open-Minded As Free Agency Nears
Main
Free Agent Stock Watch: Hisanori Takahashi
View Comments (19)
Post a Comment

19 Comments

  1. The_Porcupine

    15 years ago

    Well, the names that would be of some value are Glaus, Wigginton, and Napoli. The others just offer too little upside. Wigginton will probably find a better deal than the Pirates are willing to offer. He might be the ideal signing, considering his ability to move around the infield and spell different youngsters, but I think he’ll go elsewhere to play for a contender that gives him more playing time and job security. Napoli is a bit underrated for me and I’m not sure why the Angels are so quick to dump on him. However, I’d expect the Angels to want something of significance back on the pitching side (like one of the Pirates good relievers) and I doubt the Pirates will do that. Which leads Glaus as a free agent. He didn’t price himself out of their budget and didn’t perform well enough to expect a full time job to be given to him. His has power upside if he re-discovers his stroke. Not an earth shattering signing, but it does give the Pirates a good veteran mentor, someone that can have a bit of pop, and someone who is more than just roster filler. No he’s not an allstar and perhaps not an everyday player, but his strengths do compliment some of the Pirates weaknesses.

    Reply
  2. Rich

    15 years ago

    I’d much rather them sign, or especially, trade for a real first baseman and just Platoon Jones in rightfield. Besides if Pearce comes back strong we already have the other half of a the platoon.

    Reply
  3. Bucs666

    15 years ago

    Napoli, although as stated above, I don’t know what the price would be. Otherwise, I vote “None of the above”. If the Pirates really want a platoon, Steve Pearce will be back next year and though he isn’t the best answer, at least he wouldn’t cost anything through a signing or trade. And if worse comes to worst, move Alvarez over there. They are going to do it eventually, anyway. Play (OMFG) Andy LaRoche at third. At least he will bring you decent defense at third, and I can’t believe that he is really as bad as he has shown this year. Come on, Anthony Rendon!

    Reply
  4. matt

    15 years ago

    these guys suck

    i want pena or lee or berkman or trade for billy butler

    Reply
    • brstreet9

      15 years ago

      I don’t think KC is giving up Butler.

      Reply
  5. derekbellstutu

    15 years ago

    Do I smell a Jeromy Burnitz comeback?!

    Reply
  6. arthur3

    15 years ago

    The Pirates need to avoid making the same mistakes of the past 18 years. Signing any of these guys will be taking valuable experience from the younger players. Their money would be much better spent on a starting pitcher with some upside.

    Reply
    • Smrtbusnisman04

      15 years ago

      While I agree with you, the SPs on the market this year don’t impress me much.

      The only ones i would consider are Brandon Webb or maybe, Javier Vasquez (buy low who pitches better in the N.L.).

      Reply
      • derekbellstutu

        15 years ago

        I think for the Pirates to land Brandon Webb, they would have to give him a contract similar to Ben Sheets. Should the Bucs spend that kind of money (1 yr, $10M) on someone who hasn’t pitched much in the last two years?

        Reply
  7. matt

    15 years ago

    trade for
    prince

    Reply
  8. matt

    15 years ago

    trade for
    prince

    Reply
  9. NCBirdfan

    15 years ago

    How and where did you get Atkins’s batting average @ .297. NOT EVEN CLOSE!

    Reply
  10. NCBirdfan

    15 years ago

    How and where did you get Atkins’s batting average @ .297. NOT EVEN CLOSE!

    Reply
  11. matt

    15 years ago

    any player with any skill set that appeals to any other team will not be interested in joining the pirates

    —life-long pirate fan

    Reply
  12. inkstainedscribe

    15 years ago

    Wonder if the Braves will try to re-sign Glaus on the cheap and make him the RH part of a 1B platoon (and an emergency backup for Chipper). Before Troy’s knee gave out, he was carrying the offense.

    Reply
  13. inkstainedscribe

    15 years ago

    Wonder if the Braves will try to re-sign Glaus on the cheap and make him the RH part of a 1B platoon (and an emergency backup for Chipper). Before Troy’s knee gave out, he was carrying the offense.

    Reply
  14. Ian_Smell

    15 years ago

    I would love for the Pirates to bring back Nady. He could play at either first or right with one of Jones, Doumit, and possibly Bowker or Pearce at the other spot.

    Reply
  15. Grimmes12

    15 years ago

    “Atkins struggled against righties and lefties this year with the Orioles, but he’d only be a minor league signing.”

    Did he at least shine against ambidextrous pitchers?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Recent

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Rays Sign Peter Strzelecki To Minor League Contract

    MLB Announces 2025 All-Star Rosters

    Rhys Hoskins Suffers Grade 2 Thumb Sprain, Headed To IL

    Pirates Re-Sign Yohan Ramírez, Release Peter Strzelecki

    Diamondbacks Place Pavin Smith On IL, Select Tristin English

    Details On Bryan Reynolds’ Limited No-Trade Protection

    Tigers Select PJ Poulin

    Blue Jays Place Andres Gimenez On 10-Day Injured List

    Yankees Sign Geoff Hartlieb To Major League Deal

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version