PT TOMORROW: NL Central—Decisions, decisions (free agent driven)
Sep 15 2018
Jordy Mercer (SS, PIT) has avoided arbitration every year with the Pirates, and has now arrived at free agency. He is a solid-average defender, but a below-average offensive contributor (ranked 14th in NL shortstops OPS). If the Pirates are not able to re-sign Mercer, what are their in-house options, considering backups Sean Rodríguez (2B, PIT) and Jung-Ho Kang (3B, PIT) are free agents as well?
Kevin Newman (SS, PIT) has been the regular shortstop at AAA-Indianapolis since midway through the 2017 season. He made frequent contact at the plate (88% ct%) with a decent (0.53) Eye, but he could stand to walk more (6% bb%) and has very little power. He was recalled in late August, and is getting semi-regular playing time...
Almost!
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