Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Takeaways From Series Win In Anaheim

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ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 12: Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Erik Gonzalez #2 celebrate after they defeated th eLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim 10-2 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California.Pirates won 10-2. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Erik Gonzalez should not be on a MLB roster

In the offseason the Pirates swung a five-player trade with the Cleveland Indians. The one MLB player the Pirates received in this deal was infielder Erik Gonzalez. After Gonzalez was acquired, he became the team’s starting shortstop.

General manager Neal Huntington said in the spring that his scouts were “pounding the table” to acquire Gonzalez prior to the trade. Well, Huntington may want to fire those scouts. Because Gonzalez has been nothing short of awful this season.

For some unknown reason Gonzalez made two starts in the series. After going 0-for-7 in the series, Gonzalez is now slashing a robust .194/.270/.254 this season with a wRC+ of 30.

Don’t worry though, that great defense of Gonzalez’s Huntington talked so much about was on display! Just look at the bottom of the 8th inning Wednesday night when he missed a routine pop up that helped spark a 3-run inning for the Angels that made a 4-3 game become a 7-3 game. Also, let’s not forget Gonzalez running into Starling Marte on a pop up back in April and putting the Pirates best player on the shelf. The guy is a real defensive wizard!

Gonzalez has zero business being on a MLB roster. None. Nada. Zilch. Unfortunately, he is on the Pirate roster and taking at bats away from promising prospects such as Cole Tucker and Kevin Kramer.

Yeah, I do not understand it either.

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