Overshadowed by everything else
Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 4:11 pm
48687B6667090 wrote: The issue with Polanco has less to do with his skills/production and a lot more to do with how the organization continues to promote/use him as something that he isn't. Which, quite frankly, is a major problem with how this organization operates:
It's pretty clear that despite Polanco's potential, he's not currently (and very likely will never become) a consistent, middle of the order run producer. Yet, the organization will continue to pretend that he is, and bat him 4th or 5th. It's only going to get uglier when McCutchen is gone and they plug him into the three hole in the lineup, whether or not he ever produces like a #3 hitter should.
No different than what they're currently doing with other players:
Gerrit Cole, while a very good starting pitcher, he hasn't been your prototypical, "ace." But the Pirates drafted him to be an ace, so he's gonna be their ace, even if he isn't one.
Tony Watson, was in line to be the next closer, after Melancon was no longer with the team. So, even if his results haven't been good since becoming the closer last year, he's the closer regardless.
Cutch was once an MVP and an incredible #3 hitter. The organization recognized that he isn't that anymore so they tried to dump his salary. When they failed to do that, they just said, "Oh, well although we know he isn't what he used to be, we're gonna plug him in that three hole and just say he's still an MVP!"
These are the reasons why this organization is going nowhere. They continue to place unrealistic expectations on players and put them in spots where they're likely not going to get the production needed to fill those roles adequately.
So, getting back to Polanco, he wouldn't be so much of an issue if the organization saw him as more of a complimentary player. A guy that bats 6th or 7th and makes contributions but isn't a star.
But they'll continue to pretend he's a star, trying to fit a square peg into a round hole and continue to have below .500 seasons.
The organization is ultimately satisfied with whatever happens on the field. "These are our players and these are the guys that are going to play for us, in the positions we imagined for them, results be damned."
Square pegs in round holes - yep. That's exactly the way I've been describing this team. If Kang were here I think the infield could be decent. But the outfield is a mess, even when Marte was here.
It's pretty clear that despite Polanco's potential, he's not currently (and very likely will never become) a consistent, middle of the order run producer. Yet, the organization will continue to pretend that he is, and bat him 4th or 5th. It's only going to get uglier when McCutchen is gone and they plug him into the three hole in the lineup, whether or not he ever produces like a #3 hitter should.
No different than what they're currently doing with other players:
Gerrit Cole, while a very good starting pitcher, he hasn't been your prototypical, "ace." But the Pirates drafted him to be an ace, so he's gonna be their ace, even if he isn't one.
Tony Watson, was in line to be the next closer, after Melancon was no longer with the team. So, even if his results haven't been good since becoming the closer last year, he's the closer regardless.
Cutch was once an MVP and an incredible #3 hitter. The organization recognized that he isn't that anymore so they tried to dump his salary. When they failed to do that, they just said, "Oh, well although we know he isn't what he used to be, we're gonna plug him in that three hole and just say he's still an MVP!"
These are the reasons why this organization is going nowhere. They continue to place unrealistic expectations on players and put them in spots where they're likely not going to get the production needed to fill those roles adequately.
So, getting back to Polanco, he wouldn't be so much of an issue if the organization saw him as more of a complimentary player. A guy that bats 6th or 7th and makes contributions but isn't a star.
But they'll continue to pretend he's a star, trying to fit a square peg into a round hole and continue to have below .500 seasons.
The organization is ultimately satisfied with whatever happens on the field. "These are our players and these are the guys that are going to play for us, in the positions we imagined for them, results be damned."
Square pegs in round holes - yep. That's exactly the way I've been describing this team. If Kang were here I think the infield could be decent. But the outfield is a mess, even when Marte was here.