Pittsburgh Pirates could target Marlins’ Logan Morrison for first base spot

Sep 10, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Logan Morrison (5) connects for an RBI single during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Garrett Jones may yet be part of the first base answer for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

With Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reporting that former Bucco Jones is close to signing a free-agent contract with the Marlins, it makes one wonder about the status of incumbent Miami first baseman Logan Morrison. Rosenthal himself connected the dots:

The Pirates and Morrison were briefly linked in trade rumors last season. The 26-year-old seemed a good fit because of his left-handed stroke and inexpensive salary; Morrison made just over $490,000 in 2013 and is first-year arbitration eligible in 2014.

Now, with Jones released and only the righty-swinging Gaby Sanchez remaining to man first base, Morrison is an even more intriguing option for the Bucs. Although Morrison’s last two years have been disappointing (OPS+ of 89 and 95 in 2012 and 2013, respectively), he could easily improve as most hitters do into their late 20s.

Morrison’s growth isn’t guaranteed, but it would be a good bet to make. Also, his career splits against right-handed pitchers (.786 OPS vs. .707 against lefties) could make him a solid pairing with Sanchez, who was previously a teammate of Morrison’s in Miami.

Morrison won’t bring a huge power bat to Pittsburgh, but he would almost certainly be an improvement over relying on Sanchez for 120 or more games in 2014. It would make a lot of sense for Pirates general manager Neal Huntington to inquire about bringing the man called “LoMo” into the fold.