After trading infielder Kevin Newman to the Reds on Saturday, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington hinted that Oneil Cruz is not necessarily the starting shortstop next season, and second base will be a competition too, between players already in Pittsburgh or possibly another infielder they acquire this winter.
The Pirates’ minor leagues are stocked full of highly rated prospects and the major league roster also includes young players such as Rodolfo Castro, Diego Castillo, Ji Hwan Bae, and Tucupita Marcano.
In return for Newman, the Pirates got right-handed relief pitcher Dauri Moreta, a 26-year-old who was 0-and-2 with a 5.40 ERA and an average of 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 35 appearances last season for Cincinnati.
Comments