As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for 2025, they’ve no better idea of “who’s on first” than Lou Costello in 1938. One thing is for certain: They need to improve on the production they got from that spot in 2024. The left-handed half of the platoon, Rowdy Tellez, rebounded after a miserable start but still hit just .243/.299/.392, 13 HR, and 56 RBI. The right-handed part, Connor Joe, didn’t hit at all after April and finished at .228/.320/.368, 9 HR, and 36 RBI. Not all of that was accomplished as a first baseman, however, as Joe also saw significant action in the outfield.
Pirates Enter 2025 Offseason With Uncertainty At First Base
In what will be his sixth offseason as Pirates general manager, here’s what we know about Ben Cherington. He proceeds with caution when promoting minor-league prospects. It’s as if he’d rather keep them there too long than bring them up too soon. He also proceeds cautiously on the trade and free agent markets, too, seemingly waiting until after other teams have made their moves. As the GM of a small market team, of course, he operates under budget constraints. Cherington has stated that the payroll will increase in 2025, without saying how significantly. He seems to prefer players who had recent success and are rebounding from off-years. With that in mind, let’s look at some possibilities to anchor first base for the 2025 Pirates.
Internal Options
Unlike the Pirates’ catching situation, there aren’t many internal options. As far as players expected to be on the Pirates roster in 2025, Jared Triolo and Endy Rodriguez can play first base. They’ll be needed elsewhere, and in any event, don’t provide the type of offense needed from first base. Joe is arbitration-eligible and isn’t likely to be tendered after earning $2.125 million in 2024. Billy Cook, 25, a trade deadline acquisition, was used at first base as a September callup. His .224 average during that time indicates he may not yet be ready for prime time.
Unfortunately, no first baseman is waiting in the wings at Triple-A Indianapolis. In 2024, veteran journeyman Jake Lamb saw time there at first base but has since declared for minor league free agency. In any event, nothing in his recent record suggests he’d be the answer at the major league level. Malcom Nuñez, 23, was obtained at the 2022 trade deadline with thoughts that he might be the first baseman of the future. However, after socking 23 home runs on three minor league teams in 2022, he’s done little to push himself forward. Seth Beer, 28, hit .272/.339/.475, 8 HR, and 33 RBI in just 44 games at Indy in 2024. He’s seen action with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but not since 2022. His presence in the system may be merely for organizational depth.
Left fielder Bryan Reynolds took grounders at first base during infield practice in September, igniting rumors that the Pirates may move him there in 2025. That might become his permanent position, depending on what outfielders Cherington acquires.
Old Friends
Despite being unceremoniously released four plate appearances shy of a performance bonus, Tellez has indicated a willingness to sign a new deal with Pittsburgh in 2025. It seems unlikely that the Pirates would reciprocate Tellez’s interest, however, except as a last resort. Tellez the Sequel might work with a better platoon partner than Joe. Let’s look at other candidates.
Carlos Santana (2024 team, salary, and stats: Minnesota Twins, $5.25 million, 238/.328/.420, 23 HR, 71 RBI). Santana played first base for the Bucs in 2023 before being dealt away at the trade deadline. At the time, he, too, indicated an openness to returning to the Pirates. Ultimately, he signed a one-year deal with Minnesota but one assumes he hasn’t changed his mind about rejoining the Pirates. Similar production from the switch-hitter would be an improvement over Tellez. In any case, the Pirates should shoot higher than either Tellez or Santana.
Josh Bell (2024 teams, salary, and stats: Miami Marlins and Diamondbacks, $16.5 million, 249/.319/.405, 19 HR, 71 RBI) presents an interesting reunion possibility. Bell was a Pirate in 2019 when he had his best season and hit .277/.367/.569, 37 HR, and 116 RBI. However, since the Pirates traded him, he’s been on five teams and has been a player in decline. There’s been no buzz out there in terms of whether Arizona is interested in bringing him back. His 2024 numbers are just a slight improvement over the Pirates’ first base production in 2024. At his present salary level, the Pirates will probably look beyond the imposing switch-hitter.
Trade Possibilities
Yandy Díaz (Team, 2024 salary and stats: Tampa Bay Rays, $8 million, .281/.341/.414, 14 HR, 65 RBI). He’s under contract for $10 million in 2025, with a $12 million team option in 2026. He won the American League batting title in 2023 when he hit .330 and added 22 homers. The Pirates were rumored to be “in on” Díaz at the trade deadline. If true, his salary wouldn’t be an obstacle to him playing first base for the Pirates in 2025. Then again, if true, the Pirates couldn’t satisfy the Rays’ demands in July, so why would anybody think they can satisfy them now? Regardless, this would be a good trade possibility for Cherington to revisit.
Josh Naylor (Team, 2024 salary and stats: Cleveland Guardians, $6.5 million, .243/.320/.456, 31 HR, 108 RBI). The big left-handed slugger would look great aiming for PNC Park’s short right field. Some advocated that it would be a good idea to trade for him last spring when he was coming off a 17-home run 2023 season. (Ahem!) The thinking was that Cleveland often trades players once they become arbitration-eligible, as is Naylor for 2025. However, given his performance and Cleveland’s first-place finish in 2024, the pressure will be on the club to tender Naylor.
Free Agents (All You Have to Do is Dream)
Paul Goldschmidt (2024 team, salary, and stats: St. Louis Cardinals, $26 million, .245/.302/.414, 22 HR, 65 RBI). This would be an interesting one. Not only has the 37-year-old been a division rival, but he also sparked a beanball war in 2014 as a Diamondback when the Pirates’ Ernesto Frieri broke his hand with a pitch. Interestingly, the Cardinals are moving on from this type of production, while it would suit the Pirates just fine. In any case, although he might expect to take a pay cut, he may still be out of the Pirates’ price range.
Anthony Rizzo (2024 team, salary, and stats: New York Yankees, $17 million, .228/.301/.335, 8 HR, 35 RBI). The Yankees have a team option for $17 million for 2025, subject to a $6 million buyout. The Yankees’ World Series run has changed the narrative as far as whether they attempt to re-sign Juan Soto. If so, somebody else may be a casualty of the Yankees’ need to make room for his salary. That somebody may be the likable Rizzo. The 35-year-old public relations superstar has had trouble staying on the diamond for the past two years. He’s played just 191 regular season games over 2023-24. During that time, he hit .237/.315/.358, 20 HR, and 76 RBI. As recently as 2022, Rizzo has hit 32 homers. Thus, he fits Cherington’s recent-success-but-not-lately profile. As a left-handed batter, he’d be worth a gamble, but again, the price may be too steep.
Anthony Rizzo powers out his 300th career home run! pic.twitter.com/JId5WDD5yi
— MLB (@MLB) April 28, 2024
The Last Word
With the above, I haven’t attempted to catalog every first baseman that might be available via trade or free agency. First basemen like Pete Alonso and Christian Walker, for example, will be well out of reach for the 2025 Pirates. The big bucks they’ll demand will be too many bucks for these Bucs. Most of the possibilities listed above will be expensive, too. But given the lack of viable internal options, the Pirates may have to spend outside their comfort zone to get a suitable first baseman. Otherwise, 2025 will be the same old same old.
Main Photo Credits: David Richard-Imagn Images
