The Pittsburgh Pirates are still interested in Derrek Lee for first base, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Lee was offered arbitration last month, but turned down that offer a week ago to pursue free agency. He is believed to be waiting for the top options on the board to sign, hoping that will improve his market. Albert Pujols signed last week with the Los Angeles Angels, which leaves Prince Fielder as the only road block.
Lee would have some competition on the open market from Carlos Pena. Both players would be options for teams that missed out on Fielder and Pujols.
The Pirates currently project to have a platoon at first base between Garrett Jones and Casey McGehee. Adding Lee would add some insurance. Right now if Pedro Alvarez has a repeat of his 2011 season, the Pirates are looking at Jones and McGehee as full time starters at the corners. That’s not an ideal situation, and the addition of Lee could help boost one of those corner spots, while adding Jones and McGehee as depth to the bench.
