4 outside-the-box free agent options to creatively fix Pirates' first base hole

The Pittsburgh Pirates need a first baseman. Connor Joe is arguably their best option right now, and with how he performed after the first few months of the 2024 season, he looks more like a non-tender candidate than anything. The Pirates should have plenty of options to turn to on the trade market, but they shouldn’t rule anything out, including unconventional, outside-the-box ideas.

For what it’s worth, the Pirates seem to be open to outside-the-box ideas to fill first base. They’ve already gotten Bryan Reynolds some work in at the position during practice before the 2024 season came to a close. Reynolds has not logged an inning at first base during game action -- at least, not since high school. Still, if the Pirates are willing to explore a non-traditional option at first base by moving Reynolds there, then maybe they’d be willing to look at these free agents who don't currently occupy the position primarily as players who could move over.

4 non-traditional Pirates first base options in MLB free agency

Jurickson Profar

Jurickson Profar was the consensus No. 1 prospect in all of baseball heading into the 2013 season with the Texas Rangers. Expected to be a vital part of the Rangers' long-term plans, Profar never found his footing, bouncing around from team to team as a utility man and outfielder. But while it took just over a decade to happen, Profar had a huge 2024 season with the bat.

The switch-hitter had a .280/.380/.459 line with the San Diego Padres this past season. He hit a career-high 24 home runs while owning an above-average .179 isolated slugging percentage. Profar struck out just 15.1% of the time with a quality 11.4% walk rate. His bottom line consisted of an .839 OPS, .365 wOBA, and 139 wRC+ through 668 plate appearances. 

Profar had some very promising underlying numbers as well. He was above the 90th percentile of both xwOBA (.364) and xBA (.283), as well as in the 70th percentile of xSLG% (.448). Profar’s 91.1 MPH exit velocity trumps his previous career best by a mile, which was 87.5 MPH set in 2022. His 7.2% barrel rate is also a career-best by a fair margin, with his previous high being 6.2% in 2019.

So, how would Profar be an outside-the-box idea? Profar came up through the minor leagues as a middle infielder, but is primarily an outfielder nowadays. He has just 50 innings in the infield over the last three seasons. But while Profar may only play the outfield at the moment, he doesn’t grade out as a particularly good defender.

Profar -16 defensive runs saved and -26 outs above average, dating back to the start of the 2022 season, have him in the game's lowest tier; only Kyle Schwarber and Juan Soto have fewer OAA. Among the 105 qualified outfield defenders this season, Profar ranked 101st in average feet covered in his jump at 30.8 feet. Profar’s only redeeming quality in his outfield defense is his arm strength.

So moving Profar to first base might be a good idea. Unlike moving Reynolds to the position, Profar has experience there. He has 466 frames logged at the position throughout his major league career. His defensive numbers in that small sample size are much better than his work in the outfield; Profar has +1 DRS and +2 OAA at first base.

Given how poor Profar’s defense in the outfield is, moving to first base may be inevitable for the former No. 1 prospect. Profar isn’t getting any younger and hasn’t provided much value with his glove in the grass over the last few seasons. He’d provide the most value by moving to first base.