Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates are discussing multiple trade options for their first base vacancy.
Pirates discussing multiple trade options for first base vacancy, including Adam Lind and Logan Morrison, sources say. @FOXSports1
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 9, 2013
Morosi mentions Adam Lind and Logan Morrison. Last week we heard that James Loney was emerging as the top choice for the Pirates, and that they were also looking at Lind and Mitch Moreland. There have also been reports in the past connecting the Pirates to Mark Trumbo, who is said to be available this off-season.
Lind is coming off a big year at the plate where he hit for a .288/.357/.497 line in 521 plate appearances. The offense was strong, but his defense was horrible. He’s under contract for $7 M in 2014, with team options in 2015 and 2016. The 2015 option is $7.5 M with a $1 M buyout. The 2016 option is $8 M with an $0.5 M buyout. That means Lind would be guaranteed at least $8.5 M in a trade. His 1.8 WAR last year would have been worth about $9 M on the open market at $5 M per win.
Morrison became available when former Pirates Garrett Jones signed with the Marlins. He has a career .764 OPS and a career .786 OPS against right-handers. Once again, the defense is horrible, but Morrison does come with the hope that he could improve his numbers going forward, possibly getting help from moving out of Miami. He turned 26 in August.
UPDATE 2:33 PM: Rob Biertempfel says that the Pirates approached the Marlins last week about Morrison, and have mild interest.
#Pirates approached #Marlins about Logan Morrison last week. "Mild interest" at this point, I'm told.
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) December 9, 2013
UPDATE 3:04 PM: Jon Morosi says the Rays are also looking at Morrison.
Reported earlier that Pirates are pursuing Logan Morrison. They aren't alone. Rays are involved too.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 9, 2013
