Garrett

Jones

He took Edinson Volquez deep in the second inning. The homer was his 16th of the season, putting him five shy of the career-high 21 he slugged each of the past two years.

The current plan appears to be for Jones and Casey McGehee to platoon at first base, with Jones starting against all of the righties. He’s been the definition of mediocre since his big debut with the Pirates in 2009, but he does have 20- to 25-homer power. NL-only leagues would still be smart to go in a different direction.

Jones’ first bomb of the season came against Ryan Vogelsong in the second inning. In a strict platoon with Casey McGehee at first base, Jones’ NL-only league prospects aren’t looking good for the time being.

Tabata is off to a pretty rough start this season, batting just .200 (11-for-55) with two walks and 10 strikeouts, so Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle is trying something a little different Friday. Garrett Jones will make the start in right field while Casey McGehee plays first base and Clint Barmes bats No. 2.

Jones entered with just one RBI in nine games. The Pirates badly need power from him in the middle of the order since they’re certainly not going to produce many rallies with the guys below him.

Jones’ offensive barrage included his second spring homer. He now has five hits in his last six at-bats.

Jones requested $2.5 million and was offered $2.25 million from the Pirates when arbitration numbers were exchanged last month. Despite the small difference between the figures, the two sides were unable to reach a compromise and will now wait for a decision from an independent arbitrator. Jones, 30, batted .243/.321/.433 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI last season and is expected to start at first base for the Bucs in 2012.

Some assumed that the Pirates were ready to move on after acquiring Casey McGehee from the Brewers and tendering a contract to Garrett Jones, but it turns out they may still have room for Lee in their lineup. And why not? The 36-year-old first baseman batted .337/.398/.584 with seven home runs, 18 RBI and a .982 OPS over 113 plate appearances after joining Pittsburgh at the trade deadline this July.

Jones will make $2.25 million in 2012 as a first-year arbitration-eligible player. He requested a salary of $2.5 million when arbitration figures were filed last month.

The Bucs are said to like the idea of bringing Burnett aboard, but Olney says they won’t trade Jones to make it happen and thus there is “no traction” for a deal at this time. Jones, 30, posted a .243/.321/.433 slash line with 16 home runs and 58 RBI last season and is expected to start at first base for Pittsburgh in 2012. The Yankees seem doubtful to find a legitimate suitor for Burnett.