5 QUESTIONS FOR BRADENTON
Some of the hot topics the Pirates must try to answer over the next six-plus weeks before they begin their 133rd season March 28 in Cincinnati against the Reds. From Las Vegas to Baseball Prospectus, the projections for the Pirates in 2019 hover around .500. Most Vegas sportsbooks set the over/under on Pirates wins at 77.5. PECOTA from Baseball Prospectus predicts the Pirates will have an 81-81 record. According to Baseball Prospectus, the Pirates are expected to give up 681 runs and score 680. If the Pirates expect to exceed expectations, it’ll likely start with them improving on the projected slash line of .248/.311/.396. These metrics lead to many questions the Pirates have to answer entering the 2019 campaign.
1 Where will the home runs come from?
The Pirates hit 157 home runs in 2018, which was third-worst in the National League. This number has to improve if they are going to compete in the National League Central Division. Gregory Polanco led the Pirates with 23 home runs last season. He will miss the start of the regular season with a shoulder injury. Lonnie Chisenhall, acquired from the Cleveland Indians, is expected to fill in in right field until Polanco returns. Chisenhall has dealt with calf injuries over the past two seasons. When healthy, he has hit well. He was limited to playing a combined 111 games in 2017 and 2018. Chisenhall hit 13 homers and a .297/.368/.503 slash line during that stretch.
“Lonnie is at a point in his career where he also feels an edge and a want-to” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “There’s more traction to it than before because he’s been off the field some. When this man has been on the field, the bat has played. The versatile defender has played. There’s experience and there’s playoff experience. There’s good team experience, being a teammate. So he brings a lot of intangibles as well as skill sets to the game that can complement our club.”
2 Who is Josh Bell?
Bell only hit 12 home runs after a rookie season in which he hit 26. Bell, 26, realizes he has to be better for the Pirates to be successful.
“I want to be great,” Bell said. “Last year, a lot of guys picked up my slack, now it’s my turn to return the favor.”
The Pirates and Bell are hoping his four homers and five doubles and a slash line of .265/.390/.470 in September is emblematic of the year he’ll have in 2019.
“I wanted to get back to using the left-center field gap to my advantage,” Bell said. “It’s a mentality change. Trying to let the ball travel the best I can. I know I’m going to get a lot of changeups away and fastballs away so I have to attack those pitches.”
3 Who’s at short?
Kevin Newman and Erik Gonzalez will engage in a competition for the starting role. Newman might be the better hitter, and Gonzalez appears to be the better defender. Their battle will be crucial for the Pirates. Moran or Kang — or both? We talked about the Pirates needing to hit more home runs earlier. Traditionally, power comes from the corners. Moran or Kang — or maybe a combination of both — will have to produce more than 11 homers for the Pirates.
4 Can Marte be consistent?
Last season Starling Marte hit 20 home runs and led the team with 33 steals. He dealt with some dramatic peaks and valleys in 2018.
“I wasn’t as consistent as I would’ve liked,” Marte said. “This year I am going to continue to do my job more consistently and help the team more.”
5 What’s up with the payroll?
It doesn’t take much time covering the Pirates to hear this question. According to Cot’s Contracts, the Pirates’ expected payroll is $68,475,000. This is under last year’s opening-day payroll of $86,340,000. In theory, this would mean the Pirates would have around $18 million to spend if they want to match last year’s payroll. Even as spring starts, there are several unsigned free agents. Huntington and the Pirates brain trust have said they’ll keep looking as spring goes on.
Huntington used the battle at shortstop as an example: “We like Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Newman and we like what we feel is the level they can produce at in comparison to what else is truly out there. We will also continue exploring free agent and trade markets.”
Huntington’s answer leaves room for the current young players to have a chance, while also acknowledging that the budget isn’t necessarily complete.