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

Travis d’Arnaud

Travis d’Arnaud (not to be confused with his brother and former Pirates utility man Chase d’Arnaud) is coming off a successful five-season stint with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves recently turned down their end of an $8 million team option, letting the catcher walk into free agency. But d’Arnaud might be able to find regular work if he was willing to play some first base for the Pirates.

The under-appreciated d’Arnaud batted .238/.302/.436 this season with a .319 wOBA, and 105 wRC+. His 26.1% K% was the worst he’s put up in a full season, and his 7% walk rate was not out of the ordinary, given his career average BB% of 7.2%. d’Arnaud has always shown off some pop and blasted 15 home runs in 341 plate appearances while owning a .199 isolated slugging percentage.

d’Arnaud’s numbers under the hood are also solid. He has an above-average .323 xwOBA (55th percentile), as well as a .438 xSLG% (67th percentile). d’Arnaud has no problems making solid contact. His 89.9 MPH exit velo ranked in the 64th percentile, while his 10.4% barrel rate was among the 71st percentile of batters in 2024.

d’Arnaud has consistently graded out as a solid framer behind the dish, with +62.3 framing runs dating back to his debut in 2013. He typically hasn't had too much trouble with blocking. Defensive runs saved, however, do not paint him in a positive light at -21. This year, he had -6 DRS, but it represented by far his worst season when it came to framing. At -0.8 framing runs, it was the first time in any season he graded out as a below-average pitch framer.

The Pirates don’t need a catcher, with some even suggesting they should consider moving one of their young backstops this offseason. Luckily, d’Arnaud has some experience at first base. He logged 147 innings at the corner infield position in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Rays. His defense was playable, albeit unspectacular in the small sample size.

d’Arnaud might not find an easy path to playing time behind the dish by returning to the Atlanta Braves, given they have Sean Murphy. He also turns 36 in February and is coming off one of, if not his worst season with the glove yet. He’d definitely find regular playing time if he were willing to spend more time at first base.