Pittsburgh Pirates Needs Now That Lockout is Over

What to do at first base/designated hitter

Prior to the start of the lockout the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed Yoshi Tsutsugo to a one-year contract. When he was signed it was widely believed that the universal DH would be coming as part of the new CBA and now the universal DH is here.

While Tsutsugo could play first base for the Pirates, odds are he will serve as the team’s DH. This will leave them having to figure out what to do at first base making it another major question Cherington needs to answer before Opening Day.

If the Pirates stay in house it would appear Michael Chavis could get a majority of the at-bats at first base. This probably should not be completely dismissed. After all, Chavis was a first-round selection by Cherington when he was the general manager of the Red Sox and Chavis had a strong showing after being traded to the Pirates last summer.

That said, it’s hard to envision the Pittsburgh Pirates not addressing the position further. Mitch Moreland is a veteran we have identified as a potential free agent target for first base. Veterans Brad Miller and Asdrúbal Cabrera could be free agent targets as well.

Cherington could look to the trade market as well. Like backup catcher, the team could also monitor the waiver wire in the coming weeks for help at the first base position. No matter how it is done, Cherington will need to figure out first base as well.