Red Sox trade rumors: Pirates interested in Mike Carp

The Pirates are looking for a left-handed hitting first baseman to pair with righty Gaby Sanchez and they reportedly are interested in Red Sox utility man Mike Carp, according to John Perrotto.

The Pirates have had trouble finding a steady bat to play first base and 2014 looks like it will not be exceptional in that regard. In the last few years, they have employed the likes of Lyle Overbay, Casey McGehee , Garrett Jones, Justin Morneau and Sanchez, resulting in varying degrees of mediocrity. Sanchez hit fairly well in part-time duty in 2013 (he posted a .361 OBP in 320 plate appearances), so they may be able to make it work if they can find the right lefty to pair with him.

That lefty just might be Mike Carp. The 27-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career in his first year in Boston, hitting .296/.362/.523 in 243 plate appearances for the champs. The Red Sox took great care to protect him from left-handed pitching and he rewarded them greatly. He is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter and they could look to sell high on him. They received him from the Mariners prior to the 2013 season in one of those "player to be named later or cash" deals. If they could nab a nice prospect for him, it would be a nice little net gain.