3 players Pirates need to drop like a bad habit

1. OF Gregory Polanco

After only playing 42 games in 2019 due to issues after shoulder surgery the previous September, Gregory Polanco played 50 games in the shortened 2020 season). He started out on the COVID-19 list, which may have been a factor in his struggles (.153/.214/.325 slash mark, seven home runs, 22 RBI). Via FanGraphs, his hard-hit rate (51 percent) and barrel rate (12.5 percent) were very good. But a 37.4 percent strikeout rate negated those peripheral contact numbers.

In the big picture, 92 games of recent struggle (whatever the reason) doesn’t erase that Polanco was over a 2.0 bWAR player twice from 2015-18 with a 1.6 bWAR campaign as well. He was plus-2.0 fWAR in all three of those seasons (2015, 2016 and 2018). Whether he can get back to that previous form, or something close to it, is the bigger question. In reality, 2018 (23 home runs, 81 RBI, 12 stolen bases, 32 doubles, six triples) is far away and not coming back.

To go with the offensive drop-off, Polanco’s advanced defensive metrics have eroded over the last couple seasons too.

Next season is the last fully guaranteed season on Polanco’s’ contract, and he’s due to make $11.6 million. A $12.5 million club option for 2022 is unlikely to be picked up, with a $3 million buyout the clear path for the cost-conscious Pirates. There’s another club option for 2023 ($13.5 million, $1 million buyout).

If the Pirates are willing to include a bit of cash (perhaps covering the buyouts and then some?), they might be able to trade Polanco. Designating him for assignment and taking the risk they won’t be able to move him for any asset might become an option just to move on.