Ben Cherington's backhanded Oneil Cruz compliment has Pirates fans confused

Title: Ben Cherington's backhanded Oneil Cruz compliment has Pirates fans confused Ben Cherington, the Pirates' general manager, confirmed the team's commitment to playing Oneil Cruz in center field, despite his limited experience in that position. Cruz transitioned from shortstop to center field after struggling defensively, leading the league in fielding errors during his time at shortstop. The decision to move Cruz to center field was unexpected and raised concerns about the team's strategy in building a competitive roster. The Pirates opted against utilizing Cruz as a designated hitter due to Andrew McCutchen's established role in that position. Cherington's justification for the move compared Cruz to an NFL wide receiver, suggesting he performs better in larger spaces, which many interpreted as a backhanded compliment. Cruz's height (6-foot-7) was noted as a potential advantage for playing in a bigger outfield position, but it did not address his defensive shortcomings. The abrupt change in Cruz's position raised questions about the team's handling of player development and positional assignments. The media coverage highlighted the confusion among Pirates fans regarding the logic behind the decision to keep Cruz in a challenging defensive role. Cherington's comments were perceived as an indirect critique of Cruz's abilities at shortstop, implying he was moved due to failure rather than choice. The overall sentiment reflected a lack of confidence in the team's direction and decision-making regarding player roles and development strategies.

Original Article: https://rumbunter.com/ben-cherington-backhanded-oneil-cruz-compliment-has-pirates-fans-confused-01jcp5fkvb6k

Original Article Author: Emma Lingan