How Long Will Some Pirates be Pirates?

How long will Alex Presley be a Pirate?



The Indianapolis Indians, err, Pittsburgh Pirates continued their winning ways heading into the All-Star break despite using several players that started the season in the minor leagues. Unfortunately decisions will need to me made, many of which will be coming this month.

Besides a trade, the Pirates have several playing time dilemmas to deal with. Here is a position-by-position breakdown and my prediction on how it will play out:



Catcher: Ryan Doumit should be back this month, but Mike McKenry has done an amazing job calling games. He seems to have a good rapport with the pitching staff already and his bat is starting to look better, if only slightly. Doumit will add much needed power to the line-up, but I'm not sure it will come as a starter. Plus, this is likely Doumit's last season as a Pirate so it may be a case of playing for the future more than the present.
Prediction: McKenry keeps the starting job until Chris Snyder's return (if he returns). Doumit will spell McKenry and probably get some starts at first base and/or the outfield.

First Base: This one is really tough. We already know the Pirates are shopping Lyle Overbay and would like to replace him with a bigger bat.
Prediction: If Overbay stays, he probably keeps the job, but not full-time. Garrett Jones will take quite a few starts away once Jose Tabata returns and Ryan Doumit will get some time there as well.

Second Base: No prediction necessary. Neil Walker keeps the job.

Third Base: This is another tough one. Pedro Alvarez is healthy enough to return, but the Pirates don't feel that he is ready to return. Josh Harrison has filled the void pretty well so the Bucs may be better served keeping Alvarez down all year unless he starts lighting it up.
Prediction: Unless the Pirates start falling in the standings, Alvarez remains in the minors. If he heats up he'll take third back in a heartbeat. Harrison also gets sent down though and Chase D'Arnaud takes the starting spot. Brandon Wood would be the backup.

Shortstop: Ronny Cedeno is due back after the break, but Chase D'Arnaud has filled in well. If Ronny comes back hitting the way he was in his last few weeks, this one is easy.
Prediction: Cedeno reclaims his spot. D'Arnaud moves to third, but starts at shortstop on Ronny's off days.

Outfield: With the exception of center field, this is the toughest spot on the field to nail down. Alex Presley has been outstanding and the fans love him, but Jose Tabata is due to return. On the other side of the field, Garrett Jones and Matt Diaz have to be a little concerned about what happens to them.
Prediction: There just isn't any room for Diaz and he either gets traded or released albeit begrudingly. Presley becomes the everyday right fielder and Tabata takes back left. Jones probably platoons with Tabata, only playing against righties on occasion, but he won't lose a ton of playing time because he'll get quite a few starts at first base.

Starting Pitching: Nothing to change. Even if Ross Ohlendorf comes back, he'll be used out of the bullpen at best.

Relief Pitching: These guys have been solid, but two changes will be made.
Prediction: Joe Beimel's return bumps Daniel Moskos down to the minors only because he's a lefty. Chris Leroux goes down when Evan Meek returns.


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