1)Can OF Andrew McCutchen & RH Gerrit Cole comeback?
Both players had down years last season, for different reasons. As Mrs. Black-N-Gold types these words, the Pirates just announced that Cutch will be moved from CF to RF this season to make up for his defensive liabilities. Cutch had the worst defensive season of any centerfielder in 2016. He also had his worst offensive season ever. Some think that may have been injury-related but Cutch was never on the disabled list and had no known ailments in-season. Others wonder if the soon-to-be 30 McCutchen may be just slowing down. Whatever the problems, Cutch was moved into the #2 slot in the batting order at the beginning of last season but clearly wasn't comfortable away from his customary #3 spot. Even when Manager Clint Hurdle acquiesced and bumped Cutch back to #3, #22 still couldn't get in the swing of things. On the plus side, it looked like Cutch started to come around towards the end of the season. Now, let's hope he embraces the move the right better than he did the move up in the batting order.
Meanwhile, Cole had another injury-filled season to add to his resume. A stint on the DL and a shutdown at the end of the year for a sore arm don't typically help your starting staff, especially when it's from the pitcher that was drafted to eventually wear the mantel of "Ace". But face it, aside from Cole's All-Star, 19-win season of a few years back, Cole hasn't really exhibited many "ace"like qualities. As a former #1 overall pick, it's time for Cole to put the pitching staff on his back and become "The Man".
2)What's up with 3B Jung Ho Kang?
It was announced over the weekend that 3B Jung Ho Kang was officially charged with is 3rd DUI in his native South Korea following his December arrest when he hit a guard rail, fled the scene and tried to claim that his friend was driving. Kang is now expected to go to trial over the charges. In a corresponding move, Kang has decided to enter a rehab program based on the findings of MLB's Treatment Board. Kang may still face legal and disciplinary action from the authorities as well as MLB and the Pirates for the alleged sexual assault that stems from an incident in Chicago last June. Definitely, Kang needs to get his life and his affairs in order. In the meantime, the Pirates need to figure out what they'll do on the field if he's not available.
The Bucs have David Freese, who filled in for Kang for injury-related reasons, last season. Freese proved he still has the glove for the hot corner. And he's also shown defensive acumen across the diamond at 1B. However, as the season wore on, it appeared that Freese was getting more and more exposed as an offensive liability. The 30-something Freese is best when he's not an everyday player. Leaving him in the lineup could leave a hole in the batting order that the Buccos can ill-afford to have. How will the Bucs replace Kang's power? In limited action last year, Kang still cracked 21 homers.
3)Who will be the #4 & #5 starters in the rotation?
Remember how Pirates GM Neal Huntington placed the blame on himself for not giving the Bucs a competitive starting rotation last year? Well, guess what? It looks like maybe NH has done it again. Give him credit for bringing back RH Ivan Nova under a team-friendly deal in the offseason, but Huntington has done little else to help the staff. So far, the rotation looks like this: 1)Cole 2)RH Jameson Taillon 3)Nova 4)TBA 5)TBA. The Pirates have options but most of them are, again, Triple A pitchers who may not be ready for the show. RH Tyler Glasnow is still high on prospect lists for 2017 but needs to get his control (or lack thereof) under control. RH Chad Kuhl had some good moments in his audition last year, but it's a small sample size. LH Steven Brault and RH Trevor Williams may need some more seasoning at Indy. RH Drew Hutchison is all but forgotten considering the Bucs insisted he was so integral in the Liriano deadline deal. /It looks like NH needs to do some more dumpster diving, to at least provide some depth, and, again this year, keep his fingers crossed.
4)Got bench?
The Pirates won't have UTL Sean Rodriguez to rely on this year. Nor will they have OF Matt Joyce's lefty bat off the bench. The Bucs are hoping UTL Adam Frazier can turn into the next SRod. The problem is, Frazier doesn't provide as much defense as the recently departed Rodriguez. INF Alen Hanson is also expected to supply some flexibility off the bench. But with Joyce now in Oakland, who can provide a blast off the bench? And who is the 4th outfielder? Would it be Josh Bell, who is also expected to see significant playing time at 1B? The Bucs may be trying to find similar deals to the ones they made with Freese and Joyce during spring training last year, to jump start spring training this year.
5)Can LH Tony Watson close?
Watson did not always impress when called upon to close following Mark Melancon's trade at last year's deadline. It was always assumed that Watson would be the de-facto closer when Melancon's days in Pittsburgh were done. Whether Watson can get the job done in a full season remains to be seen. And as he enters into his final arbitration year, he may find his way out of town come the deadline.
There you have it. Some questions to get all of Black-N-Gold Nation talking as we look forward to another baseball season. As the Buccos get to Bradenton and spring training is in full swing, we may see some answers but we may have more questions, too. Keep on truckin' and keep on BUCN! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment