The Pirates are 48-37 heading into the All Star Break. They sit one game above the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central standings. The Bucs hold the second best record in the National League. So as the saying goes, "If it ain't broke....." Well I am not here to say I could do a better job than Clint Hurdle (Manager of the Year to date IMO) because he has this team playing out of this world. The reality is that the Pirates have a scorching hot offense of late, and it is due to the contributions from everyone. They still rank in the bottom third in Baseball in most offensive categories. They have three firm everyday starters, which is absurd for a first place ballclub. We all know McCutchen is locked in at Center Field. Alvarez and Walker are both red hot and are holding down third and second base without any worries. That leaves us with plenty of other questions. The recent trade rumors have to have any Pirate's fan imagination giddy. Justin Upton, Cole Hamels, Felix Hernandez, and Chase Headley and so on and so forth. The Pirates are going to add some things, but it is way too early to say who it will be. The next two weeks will say a lot about who the Pirates go after. Here are some interesting playing time battles going into the second half.
Catcher-The catching position in Pittsburgh is actually really stable. Rod Barajas has been hitting very well and is owed a lot of credit for the pitching staff's improvement. He is a major league veteran and his impact can not be totally measured by on field performance. He is important, and I think will receive 70% of the starts moving forward. Michael McKenry has proven to be a more than adequate backup. Both Catchers have plenty of pop and they have both been hitting well since June. This is the Pirates 7 hitter, and I think it is in good hands with these guys.
First Base-I think this comes down to the platoon situation again. Garrett Jones and Casey McGehee have both been hot. The struggles of Jose Tabata and Alex Presley have allowed Jones to steal some starts in right. The pending trades and possibly the call up of Starling Marte will take away the Jones in RF option. This may be a straight righty-lefty platoon. Jones has been awful against Lefty pitching all year, but his hot bat against right handed pitching has made him a legitimate third power threat for the Pirates. Jones needs to play a lot, and I do not see any way around it. McGehee has been hot of late, but does not have the same power threat as Jones. These guys are both veterans and can handle the roles they will be reduced to after the deadline. I'm guessing 65-35 moving forward in favor of Jones.
Shortstop-The Shortstop situation is bleak. The Pirates have mediocre guys like Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer, and Chase d'Arnaud as options behind incumbent starter, Clint Barmes. Barmes has been hugging the Mendoza line all season long, and sits at .204 going into the break. You have to look at the numbers a little deeper. He had an awful April and May, but hit .250 in the month of June. That is essentially what Clint Barmes is, a .250 hitter. He has been playing a good shortstop, and has gone out and done his job there everyday. He may not be popular, but the internal alternatives are worse. The trade market for Shortstops is also weak. Clint will be the 8 hitter and will play nearly 90% of the time the next 3 months.
Left Field-The Pirates have no sure things. Drew Sutton is hitting like a madman since being acquired and deserves a chance for the time being. The long haul has to be better than Drew Sutton, we should all know this. Alex Presley is a speedy spark plug, but is a very mediocre hitter. His speed and hustle keeps him around the lineup. He will be back and should be a solid 4th outfielder and will be a valuable commodity going forward. Jose Tabata's issues may not get resolved this season. He could be the odd man out as things go forward. It is a shame that he has fallen off, but he is a liability in the lineup.
Right Field-Starling Marte could be on his way very soon. He is not a giant power hitter, but has McCutchen-like tools. He is not anywhere as near the player as McCutchen, just similar type of style. He could be the starting right fielder for years to come. Garrett Jones will see time here in the first two weeks before the deadline, and after that it is anybody's guess. Will the Bucs make a splash at the trade deadline? Will it be a big time outfielder? It just may happen. The deadline affects Presley,Tabata,Jones,Marte, and Sutton. This one will be too early to tell.
3-4-5th starting pitchers-Jeff Karstens,Kevin Correia, and Erik Bedard will continue to be in the rotation, but for how long? Correia is very shaky and needs to show more consistency to stay around. Bedard started off great, but has been free falling since. He may not be 100% healthy and the break can do him well. He has the best talent of these three pitchers. Jeff Karstens will be here for the long haul, assuming no injuries. Karstens is a crafty pitcher that gets the job done. The Pirates have Brad Lincoln waiting in the wings, and three AAA left handers that are waiting in the wings. Justin Wilson,Rudy Owens, and Jeff Locke can either be in Pittsburgh, or trade bait. The Pirates can go out and get another ace type and sure things up, or hope these guys turn it around. I hope Bedard can turn it around, a lefty is a nice commodity.
Closer-Trade the Hammer, or not? Jason Grilli and Juan Cruz have been great setup men, and could assume the role as closer if the Pirates are so inclined to trade Hanrahan. I say the Hammer stays. He is the Pirates best relief pitcher and is very reliable. If it came down to this....mid-September in a must win game and a one run lead in the 9th, I want Hanrahan in there over Grilli every time. Hanrahan needs to be a part of this team going forward, he would be missed a lot more than people realize.
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