While the Starling Marte trade could benefit the club in the long run, it does create an immediate need in center field for the 2020 Pirates. Ben Cherington reiterated Monday he is looking to add another outfielder, ideally one who can play center, before spring training gets underway. I made a list of candidates who could potentially fit that bill in the last Mound Visit. However, until such a player is signed, we have to assume an internal option will take over center field, at least for the time being.
With that being said, there aren't many players to examine. There are only three outfielders on the roster who are even candidates: Bryan Reynolds, Guillermo Heredia and Jason Martin. Martin is recovering from a left shoulder injury that required surgery. Heredia profiles much better in left than in center, and it looks like he would be the starter there if the Pirates don't add someone.
That leaves Reynolds, who is probably the one penciled in center at the moment. Cherington said during the winter meetings in December that he would be comfortable with Reynolds playing regularly in center, and Reynolds himself is up for the task.
"Honestly, I'm just as comfortable in center. Maybe even a little more," Reynolds said during PiratesFest Saturday. "I just feel like it's a truer read out there. [I] played there growing up, I played there in college and obviously in the minors and some last year. So really anywhere out there, I'm perfectly comfortable."
By most metrics, Reynolds graded out as a little-better-than-average fielder last year. Fielding Bible has him down for +3 defensive runs saved, and Baseball Savant has him at +2 outs above average. However, that does not take into consideration that Reynolds played all three outfield positions. He was the only player to start at least 25 games in left, center and right field last year. In Pirates history, only he, Bill Robinson (1976) and Brian Giles (2000) played at least 25 games at each outfield position in a season, and Giles is the only other to start 25 at each. He's a unique defender.
But there is a difference between being able to play center field a couple dozen times in a season and being the everyday center fielder. From what we saw last year, I think it's safe to say he looked fine fielding the position. He passed the eye test. Now let's dive deeper.
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