Pirates Outfield

JollyRoger · Post by **JollyRoger** » Thu Apr 13, 2017 11:35 pm

I think the Bucs need to rethink their outfield alignment. After watching the first 9 games of the year; the Pirates outfield has been absolutely pitiful. Polanco looks lost in LF. Marte has been equally bad in CF. Cutch has been the best of the bunch but has misjudged a couple of line drives in RF. I would go back to Marte in LF, Polanco in RF and Cutch (Playing a normal depth; not an analytics shallow depth) CF.

SteadyFreddy · Post by **SteadyFreddy** » Fri Apr 14, 2017 12:20 am

I agree I think they should go back to that but they won't do it especially after the big deal they made about Cutch moving him to RF. Marte is too lazy at times I think to play center. Those two plays he botched today were just inexcusable. Those kinds of things cannot happen. The lack of heart on this team and just the bone head stupid plays game after game are really starting to get tiresome. It's starting to costs the Pirates games more so than it has in the past.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Fri Apr 14, 2017 1:01 am

Marte drives me crazy at times. He comes off with that lackadaisical attitude at times, and it appears he does not care. He is blessed with much potential, but often times he does not perform to that potential.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Fri Apr 14, 2017 1:27 am

022534303528172334353528510 wrote: I agree I think they should go back to that but they won't do it especially after the big deal they made about Cutch moving him to RF. Marte is too lazy at times I think to play center. Those two plays he botched today were just inexcusable. Those kinds of things cannot happen. The lack of heart on this team and just the bone head stupid plays game after game are really starting to get tiresome. It's starting to costs the Pirates games more so than it has in the past.
Bill Virdon at Pirates fantasy camp one year advised never to give up on a fly ball. It's so disappointing now to see these young, talented guys give up on balls and just let them drop in.

Ecbucs · Post by **Ecbucs** » Fri Apr 14, 2017 2:45 am

6C414C5D5A4B5C1C1F2E0 wrote: I agree I think they should go back to that but they won't do it especially after the big deal they made about Cutch moving him to RF. Marte is too lazy at times I think to play center. Those two plays he botched today were just inexcusable. Those kinds of things cannot happen. The lack of heart on this team and just the bone head stupid plays game after game are really starting to get tiresome. It's starting to costs the Pirates games more so than it has in the past.
Bill Virdon at Pirates fantasy camp one year advised never to give up on a fly ball. It's so disappointing now to see these young, talented guys give up on balls and just let them drop in.

yep, they should be the best defensive outfield in baseball.

Good outfielders expect to catch everything.

rucker59@gmail.com · Post by **rucker59@gmail.com** » Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:55 am

First off, i agree with JollyRoger - the OF's a mess and they need to return to last year's alignment.

Second, already we're dealing with "heart" issues? Frankly this is unacceptable. It's one thing to lack talent, but lacking heart is the worst thing you can have on a team as it can affect the entire club.

Marte is amazingly talented but plays part time. Last year I thought Marte was affecting Polanco. During the winter I advocated flipping Marte to acquire a high end pitcher (packaged with someone from the system as would be necessary depending on the pitcher acquired).

This team had significant flaws to end 2016, and a losing record. For some reason the 2016 team had to be held together. Why hold on to a losing team that is starting to get older? Why hold onto pieces that have significant value but the team was not built over the winter to compete for championships? Makes no sense.

Marte was perfect trade bait. instead we've got a team that will chase .500 while the fans (and younger players) will be treated to on-again off-again effort.

SammyKhalifa · Post by **SammyKhalifa** » Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:58 am

Not sure about the ability to somehow read a player's mind thought the TV to know they don't care.

rucker59@gmail.com · Post by **rucker59@gmail.com** » Fri Apr 14, 2017 12:09 pm

30020E0E1A280B020F0A0502630 wrote: Not sure about the ability to somehow read a player's mind thought the TV to know they don't care.

But you don't have to read his mind. Results speak for themselves. No one can deny Marte's elite talent. And no one can deny that he does not always use that elite talent. For whatever reason.

SammyKhalifa · Post by **SammyKhalifa** » Fri Apr 14, 2017 12:23 pm

I mean we'll see. Maybe it just needs some time to shake out. Not sure I'd change it already.

mouse · Post by **mouse** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 11:13 am

There probably is an adjustment factor to consider. The positions are new, the reads are different, etc., which has to create some uncertainty on a fielder's part. I'm sure they will get better. To this point, though, they haven't looked good. I figured the runs scored would go down this year but that a better defense would help them win a good number of games. Now I'm not so sure. That 'better defense' hasn't appeared.

As far as who plays where in the outfield, the stats may tell all, but I can't help imagining Cutch going home at night, closing himself in his bathroom, and having a giggle at what he sees.