PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates GM Ben Cherington said the goal for him this season is to figure out if Oneil Cruz can be a Major League shortstop. They still aren't sure.
Cherington during his show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network they came into 2024 knowing they would need to give him time at the position after missing most of 2023 with a broken ankle. While they do have a bigger picture of what he can do, Cherington said they don't have the complete picture.
Part of that is physical. The way the Bucs GM put it, Cruz had a football injury on a baseball field. What he said they learned from talking to those in the NFL is while a player can return after a year, it typically is two years until they are fully back. Cherington said Cruz is probably feeling something uncomfortable with his ankle pretty regularly all year.
They believe Cruz right now, even with 23 errors, is their shortstop.
"The two basic components-you try to look as objectively as you can. What is best for the player long-term? How do we put the player in the best position to have the most value possible for himself and also for the Pirates long-term," Cherington said during his radio show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "Is that at this position, that position and you be objective as possible. We have tons of data, subject matter experts, coaching to give input every day. You focus on the individual and then the team. What is best for the Pirates? How do we win more games? Is it with this alignment?"
Until they know for sure, they won't consider moving Cruz or think about him playing another position. The Bucs GM said at some point in the future, they might decide what is best for the 25-year-old and for the team is a position change, but not now.
"We have felt what is best for Oneil Cruz and what is best for the Pirates were the same thing, play short," Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "If he can play at a high enough level and produce offensively at the level that we think he is capable of, that's a unique thing to have. Not many teams have a shortstop that can do those things offensively."
"It is to our benefit and we believe to Oneil Cruz's benefit to give it every chance to find that out."
"He's our shortstop."
