{"id":88192,"date":"2024-10-24T23:08:36","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T03:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=88192"},"modified":"2024-10-24T23:08:36","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T03:08:36","slug":"pirates-2025-first-base","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/10\/24\/pirates-2025-first-base\/","title":{"rendered":"Pirates Enter 2025 Offseason With Uncertainty At First Base"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for 2025, they\u2019ve no better idea of \u201cwho\u2019s on first\u201d than Lou Costello in 1938. One thing is for certain: They need to improve on the production they got from that spot in 2024. The left-handed half of the platoon, Rowdy Tellez<\/a>, rebounded after a miserable start but still hit just .243\/.299\/.392, 13 HR, and 56 RBI. The right-handed part, Connor Joe<\/a>, didn\u2019t hit at all after April and finished at .228\/.320\/.368, 9 HR, and 36 RBI. Not all of that was accomplished as a first baseman, however, as Joe also saw significant action in the outfield.<\/p>\n

Pirates Enter 2025 Offseason With Uncertainty At First Base<\/h2>\n

In what will be his sixth offseason as Pirates general manager, here\u2019s what we know about Ben Cherington. He proceeds with caution when promoting minor-league prospects. It\u2019s as if he\u2019d rather keep them there too long than bring them up too soon. He also proceeds cautiously on the trade and free agent markets, too, seemingly waiting until after other teams have made their moves. As the GM of a small market team, of course, he operates under budget constraints. Cherington has stated that the payroll will increase in 2025, without saying how significantly. He seems to prefer players who had recent success and are rebounding from off-years. With that in mind, let\u2019s look at some possibilities to anchor first base for the 2025 Pirates.<\/p>\n

Internal Options<\/h3>\n

Unlike the Pirates\u2019 catching situation<\/a>, there aren\u2019t many internal options. As far as players expected to be on the Pirates roster in 2025, Jared Triolo<\/a> and Endy Rodriguez<\/a> can play first base. They\u2019ll be needed elsewhere, and in any event, don\u2019t provide the type of offense needed from first base. Joe is arbitration-eligible<\/a> and isn\u2019t likely to be tendered after earning $2.125 million in 2024. Billy Cook<\/a>, 25, a trade deadline acquisition<\/a>, was used at first base as a September callup<\/a>. His .224 average during that time indicates he may not yet be ready for prime time.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, no first baseman is waiting in the wings at Triple-A Indianapolis. In 2024, veteran journeyman Jake Lamb<\/a> saw time there at first base but has since declared for minor league free agency. In any event, nothing in his recent record suggests he\u2019d be the answer at the major league level. Malcom Nu\u00f1ez<\/a>, 23, was obtained at the 2022 trade deadline with thoughts that he might be the first baseman of the future. However, after socking 23 home runs on three minor league teams in 2022, he\u2019s done little to push himself forward. Seth Beer<\/a>, 28, hit .272\/.339\/.475, 8 HR, and 33 RBI in just 44 games at Indy in 2024. He\u2019s seen action with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but not since 2022. His presence in the system may be merely for organizational depth.<\/p>\n

Left fielder Bryan Reynolds<\/a> took grounders at first base during infield practice in September, igniting rumors that the Pirates may move him there in 2025. \u00a0That might become his permanent position, depending on what outfielders Cherington acquires.<\/p>\n

Old Friends<\/h3>\n

Despite being unceremoniously released four plate appearances shy of a performance bonus, Tellez has indicated a\u00a0willingness to sign a new deal with Pittsburgh in 2025. It seems unlikely that the Pirates would reciprocate Tellez\u2019s interest, however, except as a last resort. Tellez the Sequel might work with a better platoon partner than Joe. Let\u2019s look at other candidates.<\/p>\n

Carlos Santana<\/a><\/strong> (2024 team, salary, and stats: Minnesota Twins, $5.25 million, 238\/.328\/.420, 23 HR, 71 RBI). Santana played first base for the Bucs in 2023 before being dealt away at the trade deadline. At the time, he, too, indicated an openness to returning to the Pirates. Ultimately, he signed a one-year deal with Minnesota but one assumes he hasn\u2019t changed his mind about rejoining the Pirates. Similar production from the switch-hitter would be an improvement over Tellez. In any case, the Pirates should shoot higher than either Tellez or Santana.<\/p>\n

Josh Bell<\/a><\/strong> (2024 teams, salary, and stats: Miami Marlins and Diamondbacks, $16.5 million, 249\/.319\/.405, 19 HR, 71 RBI) presents an interesting reunion possibility. Bell was a Pirate in 2019 when he had his best season and hit .277\/.367\/.569, 37 HR, and 116 RBI. However, since the Pirates traded him, he\u2019s been on five teams and has been a player in decline. There\u2019s been no buzz out there in terms of whether Arizona is interested in bringing him back. His 2024 numbers are just a slight improvement over the Pirates\u2019 first base production in 2024. At his present salary level, the Pirates will probably look beyond the imposing switch-hitter.<\/p>\n

Trade Possibilities<\/h3>\n

Yandy D\u00edaz<\/a> <\/strong>(Team, 2024 salary and stats: Tampa Bay Rays, $8 million, .281\/.341\/.414, 14 HR, 65 RBI). He\u2019s under contract for $10 million in 2025, with a $12 million team option in 2026. He won the American League batting title in 2023 when he hit .330 and added 22 homers. The Pirates were rumored to be \u201cin on\u201d D\u00edaz at the trade deadline. If true, his salary wouldn\u2019t be an obstacle to him playing first base for the Pirates in 2025. Then again, if true, the Pirates couldn\u2019t satisfy the Rays\u2019 demands in July, so why would anybody think they can satisfy them now? Regardless, this would be a good trade possibility for Cherington to revisit.<\/p>\n

Josh Naylor<\/a><\/strong> (Team, 2024 salary and stats: Cleveland Guardians, $6.5 million, .243\/.320\/.456, 31 HR, 108 RBI). The big left-handed slugger would look great aiming for PNC Park\u2019s short right field. Some advocated that it would be a good idea to trade for him last spring when he was coming off a 17-home run 2023 season. (Ahem!<\/a>) The thinking was that Cleveland often trades players once they become arbitration-eligible, as is Naylor for 2025. However, given his performance and Cleveland\u2019s first-place finish in 2024, the pressure will be on the club to tender Naylor.
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