Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Bucs Looking At Red Sox 1B Mike Carp?
By Matt Shetler
May 30, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Mike Carp (37) rounds third base on his way to scoring during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a good start this spring, but that hasn’t stopped general manager Neal Huntington from looking for better fits elsewhere.
Still looking or a left-hand hitting first baseman, it appears the Bucs have turned their attention to the Boston Red Sox and Mike Carp.
The Brewers and Pirates have scouts watching the Red Sox, with a specific focus on Carp, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes in his weekly Sunday column. While it’s still unknown whether Carp can handle an everyday job, he wouldn’t have to fill that role in Pittsburgh, as the Bucs have been looking for a left-handed hitting platoon partner for first baseman Gaby Sanchez.
Carp has received a lot of trade buzz this offseason, but it has been reported that the Red Sox are asking a lot for the 27-year-old.
Related: Can the Pirates expect a full season from Jason Grilli?
Carp spent parts of four seasons with the Seattle Mariners from 2009-12, but emerged last season in Boston, putting up a very nice .296/.362/.523 triple-slash line with nine homers and 43 RBI. That came in only 216 at bats, so you still have to wonder if Carp is capable of sustaining numbers like that for an entire season, but there is a lot to like.
The Bucs have been linked to Carp on a couple different occasions this offseason and are still believed to be scouting the Mets’ Ike Davis, Rangers’ Mitch Moreland and others.
For now, Andrew Lambo and Chris McGuiness are battling for the platoon job with Sanchez.