ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the Pirates are considering moving Andrew McCutchen -- the club’s long time center fielder -- to right field. They would then move Starling Marte to center and Gregory Polanco to left.
McCutchen’s defense in center has deteriorated in recent years. Meanwhile, Marte earned his second career Rawlings Gold Glove Award on Tuesday. It also makes sense that the Pirates would move Polanco to left field to utilize his speed in the most spacious area of the ballpark. That, however, means that McCutchen’s relatively weak arm would be in right field, a spot where teams typically put their best outfield arm.
In other McCutchen-related news, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Pirates and Nationals discussed a trade involving the five-time All-Star prior to the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline. Rosenthal suggests the Pirates are still willing to trade McCutchen for the right offer.
