What the Pirates' starting lineup should look like on March 31
With an exciting and historical 2013 season in the books and Spring Training just around the corner, Pittsburgh Pirates fans are anxious to see what magic 2014 can possibly bring. Still with the vivid memory of a postseason berth on their minds, people are hoping that this year's team can repeat -- even exceed -- the success of last season. But how will they accomplish this hefty task, losing key performers such as Marlon Byrd and (probably) A.J. Burnett? I have put together what the starting lineup should look like on Opening Day (March 31), and why this lineup is the best the current team, as it is, has to offer.
1) RF Jose Tabata — Not only did Tabata show signs of his stellar 2010 rookie year late last season (.282 BA), he also qualifies as the best traditional leadoff hitter the Pirates have in their lineup. If Tabata can hit .280+ (although .290 is preferred), he will be a good fit for the job. Although .280 may seem a little low, there is an explanation: First of all, MLB batting average has dipped down as the game is becoming pitching-dominant (especially in the NL), and; Secondly, Tabata’s decent on-base numbers (.339 career OBP) and good attributes make up for it. He limits the strikeouts, takes a lot of walks, makes pitchers work the count, hits for a small amount of power, makes good contact and has decent speed — all qualities you look for in a good leadoff hitter.
2) LF Starling Marte — Now some may be wondering, “Why not put Marte in the leadoff spot?” The answer is simple: He is a free swinger. Yes, he has killer speed, yes, he has a high average and yes, he hits for power. However, he lacks the on-base skills that Tabata possesses. Marte was only second to Pedro Alvarez in strikeouts last season with 138, and all of them came from the top of the order. If he can limit the strikeouts and up the walks (he only had 25 all of last season), I would be all for putting him at No. 1. But, for now, Marte needs a chance to be in a higher run-producing spot, and in a spot where there is not as much pressure to get on base. If Tabata gets on, there is almost guaranteed no DP, AND Marte has a rep for being a good bunter. Either a man on second or two on, no one out for No. 3 — you can’t complain. No. 2 is solid for Marte.
3) CF Andrew McCutchen — There’s not much need for explanation here. McCutchen is on track to have a career year this season, and he has earned his right at No. 3. Or really anywhere he wants to hit. This is just where the team needs him most, and where he can rack up RBI (he’s bound to hit 100 eventually).
4) 3B Pedro Alvarez — For all of the “Alvarez-at-cleanup” naysayers out there: It doesn’t matter if the guy strikes out. It doesn’t matter if he hits .240. The only thing that matters is that he’s been getting the job done, with 100 RBI and 36 HR last season (which, considering he’s just entered his prime, those numbers are only bound to grow). If he managed all of that with a .233 average to close last season, imagine what he could do if that average went up just a little, which should happen. In other words, there is no reason a power third baseman with last year’s Silver Slugger Award to his resume should not be hitting cleanup. Case closed.
5) 2B (LEFT-HANDED) Neil Walker — Although Walker struggled much of last season at the plate (.251 BA), if he turns in a performance similar to that of his late-2013, he will be just fine. I would argue putting Sanchez/Lambo at this spot, but neither has yet proven to be a RBI nor a power guy. Back to Walker. First and foremost, Walker needs to learn to hit strictly left-handed. Honestly, with the numbers he put up right-handed last season, it is completely realistic to think that he could at least match those totals left-on-left, and likely improve on them. Secondly, he has the power (career 54 HR and 117 2B), and he has historically hit clutch with runners in scoring position. There is no need to take this spot from Walker unless he loses the privilege, and his end to last (regular) season should give fans confidence that he will bounce back.
6) 1B Andrew Lambo — I want to start by saying that I would love to see Andrew Lambo have the opportunity to start on a regular basis, just as long as he can field the position decently. I don’t see why he shouldn’t start most games, because although Sanchez is the stronger defensive candidate, the Bucs need a power-corner infielder similar to what they had with Garrett Jones at his best form. Besides, Sanchez can always be put in as a late-game defensive replacement if the game is close. In any case, Lambo’s numbers from AAA-Indy look promising (.272 BA with 18 HR and 53 RBI), and if he can translate those numbers to the majors, the Pirates will have themselves a long-term, reliable power-hitting first baseman.
7) C Russell Martin — Martin is arguably the best catcher we’ve had in 30 years, and he has done so much for this franchise in just one year (part of 1st playoff berth in — oh, you know. CUUETOOOOO!!). He’s proven clutch, as he led the majors in walk-offs by a single player in 2013 (I’ll give him 3 1/2 although it says four — Thanks, Houston). Clint Hurdle mentioned Martin possibly at the No. 2 spot next year, and he hit in the 5-hole most of last season (.226 BA,15 HR and 21 2B), but I don’t think he is consistent enough to be hitting in the middle of the order, let alone the top. Still, he will obviously be a mainstay in the lineup because of his (should-have-been-last-year’s) Gold Glove defense. At times last season, it seemed like Martin was trying to do too much, taking huge swings and racking up strikeouts (108 Ks in 2013). He does, however, have some of the best on-base skills around for a catcher, as he draws walks and can steal bases; but with the potential of the other worthy candidates, the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to Martin hitting higher in the order. Hitting No. 7 will not only take some pressure away, it will also allow him to focus on his game’s most important aspect: his catching.
8) SS Jordy Mercer — Mercer, although shaky at times on defense last season, came into his own offensively. He produced a very solid .285 average last season, including 22 doubles and eight home runs. His defense did start to steady as well at the end of the season, but his offensive numbers alone are too enticing to keep him out of the lineup. In fact, if he continues to hit at a high clip, he may also be a candidate for No. 2 in the order down the road. Mercer, through much adversity and hard work, battled his way to the starting lineup and has earned a privilege to stay there, barring some sort of collapse. Clint Barmes will be a steady defensive replacement, but Mercer will carry the majority of the playing time and will eventually be expected to take over both sides of the coin entirely. Why not start now?
9) P Gerrit Cole — Nothing would be more special than to start Gerrit Cole on Opening Day at home in front of a sold-out, revamped PNC Park. He is perhaps the epitome of the team’s rebirth, for he made his Major League debut on June 11 as a young hurler and, by season’s end, became perhaps the most reliable arm on a staff full of veterans (3.22 ERA, 100 Ks). Not to mention, he has also shown some pop with the bat, collecting sevens hits (including two in his debut and excluding his game-deciding RBI single in Game 2 v. St. Louis) for a decent pitcher’s BA of .206. Cole, along with Francsico Liriano, will lead the team as far as pitching. However, his image in the eyes of the Bucco faithful means so much more than that: It would only be fitting to start the young ace in Cole on Day One to coincide with the official birth of a new era in Pirates baseball.
