Heading into the 2018 season, the first base position is vacant. With options in house and on the open market, the question is – Who’s on first?
Over the years, the Rays have had a bit of a revolving door at first base. The last two seasons it’s been Logan Morrison who turned year two into a career campaign. Prior to him, it was three years of James Loney. We all remember the Gold Glover that was Carlos Pena.
In-house
No one in the organization right now has the upper hand on the job more than Jake Bauers. In 2017 at AAA Durham, the 22-year old slugged 45 extra base hits in 132 games while playing both first base and outfield. He finished the year with an impressive .368 on-base percentage and a modest .779 OPS. The best news of all – he’d be the cheapest option with the highest ceiling to set the team up for the future.
Remember a couple years ago when the Rays moved Brad Miller to first base? Much to his dismay, Miller played 39 games at the position in 2016 and showed signs of being able to handle the move adequately if nothing else. Last week, Miller and the Rays avoided arbitration meaning he could slide back into first base at a relatively cheap $4.5M. If he’s healthy and plays a full season, there’s a shot he could get back to 15-20 home run potential. He’s turned into an on-base machine the second half of 2017 despite finishing with a paltry .201 avg and .664 OPS in just 110 games. Depending on who Kevin Cash wants to carry the load at second base – Miller could be a strong consideration at first.
On the market
If I had to reach out and snatch a first baseman off the market today for this team – Adam Lind would be my guy. He spent his first nine years with the Blue Jays so he’s familiar with the competition in the AL East. Sure, he’ll be 35 in July but he’s coming off a season in which he hit .303 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI in just 116 games with Washington. Lind can also play left field and has the reputation as a fantastic locker room guy – with all four teams he’s played for – during his 12-year career. He earned just $1M last season with the Nats so it’s a pretty safe bet he could be another first base steal for the Rays.
Want to replace a leader with a leader?
Sign Mike Napoli. The 36-year old is coming off a 29-home-run season despite hitting sub-.200 with the Rangers. He’s likely be a bargain financially and bring plenty of experience, especially in the post-season.
Bringing Morrison back shouldn’t be out of the question. He loved it here and had said as much on more than one occasion last season. If Napoli is on their radar, the much younger Morrison should be as well.
Quite possibly the best bargain still on the market is Mark Reynolds. He’s 34 years old and has rejuvenated his career in Colorado the last two seasons. He’ll bring 30-home run potential to the position as well as leadership. The biggest downside to his game? Strikeouts. Three times in his career he’s led the league in K’s (with over 200) in a season. The Rays might take a gamble on him for the right price.
Bottom line
First base has always been seen as a “power” position. Loney was a slick-fielder who drove in runs but wasn’t a slugger. Pena was an all-or-nothing hitter who had an elite glove. Morrison was a solid balance of offense and defense last season.
At the end of the day it comes down to this – What do the Rays see as the ‘more important’ attribute to whomever mans the position in 2018?
