Six questions for the second half of the Bucs’ season.
They are going to trade players. We know this. Given the Pirates’ ongoing need to acquire talent and position themselves well for future seasons, it would be flat-out stunning if Adam Frazier, Richard Rodriguez and Tyler Anderson were still here in August.
But the second half of the 2021 MLB regular season, which begins Friday when Pittsburgh welcomes the New York Mets for a three-game series at PNC Park, offers plenty of other storylines for the local nine.
Here’s a look at six questions for the Pirates in the unofficial second half:
• When do we see Mitch Keller again? The Pirates began this season needing Keller to take a big step forward. Instead, he took several backward and was demoted to Class AAA Indianapolis on June 12.
It seems Keller is making a push to rejoin the MLB club sooner than later.
The right-hander has made six appearances with the Pirates’ top minor
league affiliate, including four starts. He’s 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA, including 24 strikeouts compared to seven walks in 20 innings.
The fastball command has been better. So has, one would think, Keller’s confidence. He should be nearing a return to the Pirates.
• Is Rodolfo Castro for real? The heavy- hitting rookie infielder was tremendous entering the All-Star break, going 3 for 9 (.333) with three home runs and four RBIs in the Pirates’ final three games. He was the hero Sunday, hitting two homers in a 6-5, comeback victory at Citi Field.
Castro should get a run of games to show what he can do. Kevin Newman’s defense at shortstop has been solid this season, but his offense — or lack of it — is very much replaceable. Second baseman Frazier deserves a rest after All-Star festivities and can play the outfield. It might even make sense from a trade showcase perspective while giving Ke’Bryan Hayes a day off.
The point is that Castro has shown the Pirates he’s deserved more chances dating back to the 2019 minor league season. He was also crushing it this year with Class AA Altoona — .306 average, 11 homers and 40 RBIs in 49 games.
No reason to stop now. Let the kid show what he can do.
•Do they DFA Gregory Polanco? The Pirates kept Polanco, their highest-paid and longest-tenured player, around and in the lineup to this point with the hope of trading him for something — anything.
It could happen, but we’re talking about someone making $11.6 million (with a $3 million option this offseason) who’s hitting .199 with a .640 OPS and on the 10-day injured list because of a bilateral adductor strain.
Sooner or later, the Pirates would be wise to simply cut bait. More than anything that has happened under the new regime, this past MLB draft has demonstrated to fans that they are indeed serious about rebuilding the right way; general manager Ben Cherington and his staff have a firm grasp on what they’re doing.
Getting rid of Polanco would further cement that message with the fan base — that the future’s bright, and we’re turning the page. Especially if they did it, then found a way to play someone like Castro or another younger player deserving of an opportunity.
• Does the bullpen rebound? Earlier this season, the bullpen was one of the unquestioned strengths of the team. It hasn’t been that way lately. Sam Howard, so dominant early, is hurt for a second time. Rodriguez could be gone, while Kyle Crick has battled control issues, the same as Clay Holmes.
Over the past 15 days, the Pirates bullpen has pitched to a 6.24 ERA, which is 26th in MLB during that time. The biggest issue has been a sudden lack of control; Pirates pitchers walked 54 over the past 15 days — most in MLB.
With Howard and Duane Underwood Jr. hurt, there should be an opportunity for others to step up. The need for a left-hander could open a door for Austin Davis, while Luis Oviedo — who’s rehabbing with Class AAA Indianapolis — could slide nicely into Underwood’s mop-up role.
The Pirates need this group to steady itself.
•What happens at first base? Overshadowed a little bit by Castro’s power display, John Nogowski’s hot streak entering the break was truly something else. Acquired for cash considerations after the Cardinals designated him for assignment, Nogowski began his Pirates career on a tear, collecting 14 hits in his first 28 at-bats (.500).
Pittsburgh will hope that the break didn’t cool off his production.
If Nogowski does pick up where he left off, it could create a conundrum for the Pirates, one they would be thrilled to encounter. Colin Moran obviously deserves to play when he returns from a left wrist bone fracture, but how much?
It could make sense to platoon Nogowski, a righthanded hitter, and Moran, a lefty, but it might not be the best thing for either player. But again, the Pirates will cross that bridge when they come to it. If the issue is trying to find a spot to play someone who gets a hit in half of his atbats, well, you tend to figure those things out.
• Who are the next arrivals to track? Most pertinent to the Pirates’ long-term plans is probably starting pitcher Miguel Yajure, who is rehabbing his right elbow/forearm in Bradenton, Fla. Yajure has thrown off of a mound and should progress soon. He’s on the 60-day injured list and eligible to come off in early August
Given what the Pirates have gotten out of Wil Crowe and Chase De Jong, there should be an audition spot or two available. They would get one more with an Anderson trade, which is pretty much guaranteed to happen, considering he’s on an expiring contract.
Aside from pitching, there are a couple of position players who might make sense. Dee Strange-Gordon was a sneaky-good signing, a player with a history of MLB production who’s looking to get back to the majors.
Strange-Gordon was hitting just .211 with Class AAA Indianapolis entering Wednesday’s game but also had a double and two homers in 19 at-bats. There’s more there and potentially a need at a few different positions.
Anthony Alford was red hot in June, producing a 1.280 OPS in 18 games before suffering a wrist injury.
Given the opportunity available in the outfield — it should be Bryan Reynolds, maybe Ben Gamel and wide open from there — Alford deserves another shot at some point.