This space previously mooted the possibility of trading Oneil Cruz after his “Yakety Sax”-style meltdown when the Pirates opened their season Thursday at New York.
But the Pirates seem unlikely to do that.
His raw talent is undeniable. Cruz is affordable at $3.3 million and, if he keeps disappointing, will continue to be so through his two remaining years of arbitration. Cruz stinks, but at least works cheap.
If Cruz, at 27, suddenly realizes his vast potential, the Pirates will have to deal with the economics of that. (Believe that when you see it.)
So, if Cruz is staying, how can the Pirates fix him?
Suggestions abound:
• Put him back at shortstop, which ultimately puts uber-prospect Konnor Griffin in center field. Cruz never wanted to move from shortstop and initially resisted.
• Put him at third base. But a third position switch in three seasons probably wouldn’t work. Just like shortstop didn’t work and center field isn’t working.
• Put him at first base. His 6-foot-7 height would help. But the Pirates already have Spencer Horwitz playing that position, and that’s right fielder Ryan O’Hearn’s best position.
• Have him platoon at DH with Marcell Ozuna. But that would minimize Ozuna. Ozuna was one of the Pirates’ big offseason gets, and the Pirates are paying him $12 million.
• Bench him in favor of Jake Mangum. Mangum is a singles hitter, but can run and play defense. He’s also known as a tough competitor, while Cruz often seems disengaged.
None of these are particularly good options.
Nor is leaving Cruz in center field.
No matter where you put Cruz, his low baseball IQ and lack of focus make him a liability.
The best idea remains trading him.
If Cruz stays in center field, perhaps — in lieu of sunglasses — he could wear that welder’s helmet the Pirates don to celebrate home runs. “Clang! Clang! I need a welding torch to play in this league!”
