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.

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. 

Anthony Santander

Many Pirates fans would likely revel in the idea of bringing in Anthony Santander as the team’s next right fielder. That would be a huge boost to the team, especially in the lineup. Maybe, though, the Pirates should bring Santander in not just as a corner outfielder, but as someone who could play first base as well.

The switch-hitting Santander had his best season of his career in 2024. He is coming off a 44 home run campaign where he batted .235/.308/.506 with a .345 wOBA, and 129 wRC+. Santander had a .271 ISO and walked at a career-best 8.7% rate. He also struck out less than 20% of the time with a 19.4% K%. 

While his surface numbers were good, the metrics under the hood weren’t quite as bullish on him. Santander still had an above average .456 xSLG%, .328 xwOBA, and 11.7% barrel rate. These numbers might not reflect a player who just hit 44 home runs, but they are far from bad. After all, Santander has a career .469 slugging percentage, .330 wOBA, and 9.9% barrel rate.

Santander’s defense in the outfield has not been good, though. Since the start of 2021, the slugger has just -12 DRS and -13 OAA. He also has a below-average jump, according to Baseball Savant. The Orioles attempted to give Santander some playing time at first base in 2023. He logged 72 innings at the position and looked decent. By contrast, he only saw a single frame at first base in 2024. For what it's worth, Santander had +1 DRS and OAA at 1B in '23.

Santander could help fill in two positions needed by the Pirates: an outfield corner and first base, all while bringing a potential 30+ homer bat to the Pirates’ lineup. Santander’s below-average outfield defense may eventually cause him to move to first base long-term, so getting him some reps next year could help alleviate some of his defensive woes in the outfield.