With the first base market dwindling, the Pirates are turning their attention to possible trade candidates Ike Davis and Mitch Moreland as they try to upgrade the position, according to Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Sources tell Sawchik that the team has spoken to the Mets about the power-hitting Davis. The 26-year-old struggled badly to start the 2013 season, hitting 165/.255/.250 through the first half. Following a demotion to Triple-A, Davis bounced back with a .286/.449/.505 line in 138 plate appearances upon his return to the majors. He has flashed big power and an elite walk rate in his career, but he has also struggled badly to make contact at times, striking out 24 percent of the time in his four-year career.
Both Moreland and Davis may appeal to the Pirates as platoon partners for current first baseman Gaby Sanchez as Sawchik notes. The right-handed Sanchez has hit .300/.399/.496 against lefties in his career, but against righties he has hit just 242/.313/.387. Last season, the Pirates acquired left-handed hitting Justin Morneau to match with Sanchez for the final month of the season. Both Moreland and Davis hit left-handed and have been far better against righties throughout their careers. Davis is a career .256/.356/.471 hitter against righties and Moreland has posted a .258/.325/.463 line against them.