Report: Brewers Interested In Mike Carp

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Brewers are keeping an eye on Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Carp this spring, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The Pittsburgh Pirates are also said to have interest.

This isn’t the first time the Brewers have scouted the left-handed hitting Carp. Before the 2013 season, Milwaukee was considering signing Carp after Corey Hart went down with an injury. But Carp headed off to Boston, leaving the Brewers to use Yuniesky Betancourt at first base for most of the season.

The Brewers have signed first basemen Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds this offseason, but neither are seen as everyday players. Overbay is 37 and Reynolds strikes out too much to be reliable. Juan Francisco is also in the mix for the starting job.

Carp, 27, hit .296 with nine home runs and 43 RBI off the bench for the Red Sox in 2013. Unlike Overbay, Reynolds and Francisco, Carp has the ability to hit for a decent average while still putting up solid power numbers.

The Brewers will only go after Carp if they feel he is capable playing every day, and if they believe he can be the future first baseman in Milwaukee as well.