Jayson Stark has reported that the Pirates are searching the market for a left handed bat at first base and a few names have surfaced.
Clubs that have talked to #Pirates believe James Loney emerging as their top choice at 1B. Heard they’ve also asked on Adam Lind & Moreland
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 4, 2013
Loney had a solid year with the Tampa Bay Rays last season as he posted his best numbers since his rookie year with the Dodgers in 2007. In 158 games, he batted .299/.430/.778 with 13 homers, 33 doubles and 77 RBI.
On the defensive side, Loney committed 7 errors in 1308 chances which saved 3 total defensive runs above average at first base for the Rays. That stat placed him fourth in the AL for first basemen. His total contributions last season totaled to a 2.7 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) which is tied for the best in his career.
According to Travis Sawchik of the Trib, a contract for Loney would be around 2y/$15M.
Fangraphs’ crowdsourcing predicted Loney at 2y/$15M. CBSSportsline mystery GM also placed Loney at 2y/$15M
— Travis Sawchik (@Sawchik_Trib) December 4, 2013
Adam Lind
Another 1B that has popped up on the Pirates radar is Adam Lind of the Toronto Blue Jays where he posted his best season since ’09.
In 521 PA, Lind batted .288/.497/.854 with 23 homers, 26 doubles and 67 RBI. His defense at first base (76 games) he recorded a .989 fielding percentage while committing 7 errors in 637 chances. His 1.9 WAR is second best in his career behind the 4.0 he put up in 2009, where he finished 15th in MVP voting.
He has three club options from 2014-2016 averaging $7.5M with a $2M buyout.
Mitch Moreland
Mitch Moreland is the least-likely of the three as he played his first full year with the Texas Rangers.
In his first full season (147 G, 518 PA), Moreland posted a hitting lone of .232/.437/.736 while hitting 23 homers, 24 doubles and 60 RBI.
His defense was solid as he posted a .996 fielding percentage (4th among AL 1B) while only committing 5 errors in 1146 chances. These stats are good enough for a 0.6 WAR which would be a slight upgrade to Garrett Jones.
He is a first year Arb Eligible and has been tendered by the Rangers.
With Gaby Sanchez back with the Pirates, there will most-likely be a platoon between him and a LH bat. Lind could be the front-runner as he posted a .309/.539/.924 with 20 homers and 59 RBI against right-handed pitching last season. Loney also posted a decent .299/.446/.797 line with 10 homers and 54 RBI against righties.
(Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
