Dewan: Pirates’ new outfield configuration
From SABR member John Dewan at ACTA Sports on February 8, 2017:
On Sunday, the Pirates announced their plan to reconfigure their defensive outfield in 2017, moving long-time center fielder Andrew McCutchen to right field, Gregory Polanco to left field, and defensive stalwart Starling Marte to center field.
Based simply on their Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) totals from 2016, the move makes sense. Marte led all left fielders with 19 Runs Saved despite missing most of the final month with a lower back injury, so he seems like one of the best corner outfield candidates to move to center.
Meanwhile, McCutchen has seen his defensive numbers decline in center for several seasons now, culminating in a -28 DRS total last season that was the worst of any player at any position.
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Originally published: February 8, 2017. Last Updated: February 8, 2017.