Potential first basemen who could be on the trade market the Pittsburgh Pirates should consider

With the Pirates needing help at first base, they should look into the trade market.

May 5, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir
May 5, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir | Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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Long Term Options for the Pirates

After two unimpressive years in 2022 and 2023, Gavin Sheets is off to a solid start in 2024. He is batting .242/.348/.408 through 141 plate appearances. Sheets’ plate discipline has been very good this season. His 17.7% strikeout rate is a career low, but his 12.1% walk rate is the first time he’s ever walked in more than 9% of his plate appearances. Sheets’ is hitting for above-average power with a .167 ISO, but there’s room for more production with the bat. Sheets has a .370 xwOBA, .280 xBA, and .451 xSLG%. 

Sheets has played first base a handful of times in his career. He was primarily a first baseman throughout his minor league career but was moved to the outfield corners once he reached the Majors. He’s a much better defender at first, so a team looking to acquire him would probably benefit from getting him out of the outfield grass as often as he’s played it so far. Sheets is under control through the 2027 season.

It’s been a long and winding road from a top prospect who signed a big extension prior to his debut in 2014 to a potential breakout player in 2024 for Jon Singleton. Singleton has found his way back to Houston, where he is hitting .224/.323/.383 through 99 plate appearances. That comes out to a .319 wOBA and 107 wRC+. Singleton isn’t striking out much with a 21.1% K% but has a strong 13.1% walk rate. He’s also hitting for some pop and has a .165 ISO.

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