Perrotto: Pirates’ Turn to Look at Imaginary Watch (+)
The Pittsburgh Pirates seemingly alleviated a logjam last weekend when they traded Kevin Newman to the Cincinnati Reds.
Newman appeared superfluous to the Pirates with shortstop Oneil Cruz and second baseman Rodolfo Castro emerging in the second half of last season as the starting middle infield combination.
There was nowhere for Newman to play. And the Pirates decided they weren’t going to pay Newman a projected $2.8 million next year – according to calculations by MLB Trade Rumors’ Matt Swartz, who knows these things – through the arbitration process to be a bench player.
Thus, the Pirates’ first-round draft pick from 2015 was sent packing.
However, general manager Ben Cherington dropped a surprise following the trade when he told reporters that the Pirates might be in the market for a middle infielder this winter. The GM said neither Cruz nor Castro are locks to be in the opening day lineup in 2023.
“I think we want to create competition there certainly, whether it’s guys that are already here. Wouldn’t rule out adding an infielder either,” Cherington said. “I would emphasize the competition, but there will be a runway to be part of that competition and continue to earn it. (Cruz is) a really talented player, obviously, and is working hard at his game. We want to give him a chance to continue to improve and, in some cases of the young players, they have to have a chance to play a lot to do that.”
It seems farfetched to think Cruz won’t be the Pirates’ shortstop in 2023 following an intriguing rookie season.
Cruz showed some warts both offensively and defensively in his first extended look in the major leagues. He wound up hitting .233/.294/.450 with 17 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 87 games. The 24-year-old also struck out 126 times in 361 plate appearances and only one defensive run saved.
However, Cruz is far too intriguing to keep out of the starting lineup of a team that has lost 101 and 100 games the last two seasons. The 6-foot-7 Cruz generates tremendous power, has far above average speed and a strong throwing arm.
He has already become a Statcast legend and an idol of those who believe everything in baseball must be measured.
As one veteran scout told me late in the season, Cruz might have the most tools of any Pirates player since Dave Parker. That is saying something considering Barry Bonds and Andrew McCutchen both won National League MVP awards after Parker left the Pirates following the 1983 season.
Most likely, Cherington just wants to make sure Cruz doesn’t get too comfortable in the big leagues by saying no middle infield starting jobs are guaranteed. Though manager Derek Shelton and Cherington constantly talk about Cruz’s work ethic, there are some in the clubhouse who feel he sometimes coasts on his raw talent.
Cruz also came to spring training believing he would be the starting shortstop after a dazzling two-game cameo to begin his major league career on the last weekend of the 2021 season. He pouted at Triple-A Indianapolis at the start of the 2022 season and annoyed some in the organization when he pretended to look at a watch when he hit a home run for Indy.
It was Cruz’s way of sending a message to the front office that the time had come to promote him to Pittsburgh. He was also hitting under .200 at the time.
That time eventually came on June 20.
Perhaps Cherington saying the shortstop position is open is his way of looking at his imaginary watch because it seem unlikely Cruz is going back to the minor leagues anytime soon.
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