Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Bucs Still Looking For First Baseman
Yesterday I took a look at the fact that the Pittsburgh Pirateswere likely out of the running forKendrys Morales, due to not wanting to surrender a first-round pick in order to sign the Scott Boras client.
That doesn’t mean they are done shopping though.
Aug 30, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis (29) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
According to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, the Pirates are not giving up on the possibility of adding a lefthanded-hitting first baseman through trade. Though they haven’t found a good match yet, the Bucs appear to still want to find a platoon partner forGaby Sanchezin 2014.
The Bucs are reportedly keeping an eye on how spring goes for New York Mets first basemanIke Davis.If he has a good spring, the Mets will likely be able to move him.
Stark also noted that the Bucs could be players for guys such asJustin SmoakandMitch Moreland, depending on where Morales andNelson Cruzend up signing as free agents.
In the meantime though it looks like the team is confident in their internal options, which include converted outfielderAndrew Lambo, who hit 32 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last year, former Rangers prospectChris McGuinessand non-roster inviteeTravis Ishikawa.
Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington told Stark:
"That doesn’t stop us from looking elsewhere. It’s just that now, our bar has been set a little bit higher, as to ‘How do we make the club better?’ And ‘How do we make the club better at the right situation for us?’ … If there’s something that makes us better, and makes sense for us, we’ll still look to do that.”"
If I were a betting man, I would expect one of the three options already in camp to open the season with the team, leaning heavily towards Lambo.