Pirates insider suggests All-Star could be next in line for surprise position change

After Oneil Cruz moved from shortstop to center field last month, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Pittsburgh Pirates could consider a position shift for another one of their star players.

Kevin Gorman of TribLive reported Sunday that All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds was wearing an infielder's glove to field balls hit off a fungo bat during his pregame warmup routine, prompting speculation about a potential move to first base.

Reynolds, for his part, shut down any notion that he would be seeing game action at first base before the end of the 2024 season.

“I’m just trying to increase some general athleticism, help me all the way around on the field," Reynolds told Gorman. "It’s fun, a little change of pace. What do we got, two weeks left? That would be something.”

It would indeed be something, but we wouldn't necessarily put it past the Pirates after the way they handled the situation with Cruz last month. But, at least for now, we will take Reynolds at his word and assume a potential position change is off the table in 2024.

Pirates All-Star Bryan Reynolds could see time at first base next season

While it's unlikely to happen before the season ends, neither Reynolds nor Pirates manager Derek Shelton shut down the possibility of a potential future maneuver.

It might not be the worst idea, either. Rowdy Tellez, on a one-year contract, is hardly a long-term solution. The Pirates have been powerless at one of the diamond's key power positions seemingly forever -- Josh Bell was their last stable slugger. The 22 players they've cycled in and out since his departure haven't replicated his talent.

Such a move could help to extend the career of Reynolds, who signed an eight-year, $106.75 million contract through 2030 and will turn 30 in January. He leads the Pirates at the plate this season with a .282 batting average, .348 on-base percentage 22 home runs, 85 RBI and an .805 OPS. He has played all three outfield positions over the past three seasons, eventually settling into left field, where he has minus-4 defensive runs saved with six assists and two errors since May.

It may not be happening this year, but Reynolds certainly sounds open to a move to first base in the future. With Connor Joe, Bryan De La Cruz and now Billy Cook all able to man left field, it could make sense for the Pirates to give the positional switch a try in 2025.

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