Miami wasn't satisfied with the production of one former Pirates first baseman. But they may be ready to give Ike Davis, another Pirate, a try.
Miami was already confident in one former Pirates first baseman in signing Garrett Jones. But after a slow offensive year, the Marlins' offseason strategy may including pursuing another first base option. And another Pirate may be in the mix.
The Marlins are familiar with Ike Davis because of his New York Mets background, and if Davis finds himself looking for a new squad this offseason, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News believes Davis would be a fit in South Florida.
It won’t be as high-profile as last winter, but former Met Ike Davis could be once again looking for another team this offseason. Davis batted .235 with 10 homers for the Pirates this year, and there is a strong chance that the team will move Pedro Alvarez to first.
If Davis is once again seeking work, the Marlins are one possibility. The team has Garrett Jones, but at least some in the organization are open to change, and like Davis, sources say.
Many believe the Pirates will move Pedro Alvarez to first base in 2015, even though the organization's front office has been notably quiet about the situation. Alvarez, though, had difficulty defensively at third base last season, and the thought of moving him back to first makes Davis a non-tender or trade candidate.
In 2014, Davis posted a .233/.344/.378 line to complement 11 home runs and 51 RBIs. He does not provide a significant amount of power, which may lead the Marlins to explore other options, however he could likely be more productive than Jones, who batted at the bottom of Miami's lineup for much of the year.
Although they owe him $5 million in 2015, the Marlins appear prepared to consider other options. While Jones was consistent offensively to start the year, his production began to dip around the All-Star break. Miami could look to trade Jones, but may have to eat some of his remaining salary if they want to get a deal done.
It may not take much to acquire Davis via a trade, considering he could otherwise be non-tendered. He is a left-handed hitter, which is something that the Marlins' lineup has lacked over the last few seasons. Despite the subpar offensive numbers he posted last season, he is likely a more efficient defensive option than Jones, who at times had trouble handling throws.
When the Marlins begin addressing their offseason needs, looking for a first baseman will likely appear somewhere on their list of priorities. And adding Ike Davis to a young roster may make sense moving forward.