With chunk of power gone, Pirates looking for ‘different ways to win’
The Pirates lost 43 home runs from the left side of their infield during the off-season.
That is a big blow for any team, even one that had the second-best regular-season record in the major leagues last season at 98-64 before losing to the Chicago Cubs in the winner-take-all National League wild-card game.
First baseman Pedro Alvarez hit a team-leading 27 last season but became a free agent when the Pirates declined to offer him a contract in December rather than risk going to a salary arbitration hearing with him.
Neil Walker added 16 homers in 2015, but the switch-hitting second baseman was traded to the New York Mets for left-hander Jon Niese in December. The Pirates did not want to lose Walker in free agency at the end of the upcoming season without getting more than a compensatory pick in this year蘑菇视频 amateur draft in return.
鈥淭here are different ways to win,鈥� Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
So as pitchers and catchers reported to spring training Wednesday then held their first workout Friday at Bradenton, Fla., the Pirates will look to improve their baserunning and defense in an attempt to offset some of the lost power.
The Pirates hope that will be the key to securing a fourth consecutive postseason berth.
鈥淲e have some areas that we need to get better at, and we can get better at,鈥� Hurdle said.
According to FanGraph蘑菇视频 advanced statistical formula, the Pirates ranked 12th among the 30 major league teams in baserunning last season. Baseball Prospectus鈥� analytics had them seventh.
So, on the surface, it would seem the Pirates already run the bases well. However, they were successful on just 68.5 percent of their stolen base attempts, 98 of 143, below the major league average of 70.2.
In terms of catching the ball, the Pirates did not fare well last season. They were 23rd in defensive efficiency, which measures the number of balls put into play besides home runs that are turned into outs.
FanGraphs鈥� metrics ranked the Pirates 27th ahead of just the Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. Those three teams all lost at least 86 games in 2015.
More than anything, the Pirates will try to mold their offense and defense around the players they have between now and the April 3 opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e not going to suddenly turn someone who isn鈥檛 a power hitter into a power hitter,鈥� Hurdle said. 鈥淚 think you have to look at the type of personality your players have, the type of ballpark you play in, and the ability for guys鈥� growth.
鈥淭hose are the things that you can do with individuals to create a little bit more leverage, as long as it makes sense. If that蘑菇视频 not part of the game, you have to find ways to maximize other ways of scoring runs and get more runs than the other team.鈥�