Pittsburgh Pirates: Time to Cut Ties With the Veterans

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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 24: Yoshi Tsutsugo #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a two run RBI single in the ninth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at PNC Park on July 24, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Designate Yoshi Tsutsugo for assignment, re-call Jack Suwinski

As Noah wrote about last week, first baseman/designated hitter Yoshi Tsutsugo is currently putting together one of the worst offensive season in Pirate history. While he has seen his playing time diminish extensively in recent weeks, he is still on the active roster and that needs to change.

Entering play on Tuesday, Tsutsugo was hitting for a .171/.249/.229 slash line, a 39 wRC+ and a 37 OPS+. He owns a -1.3 fWAR, -1.7 bWAR and has been flat out awful throughout the 2022 season.

There is zero reason for Tsutsugo to still be on the active roster. None. Zilch. Nada. In fact, at this point, it’s a slap in the face of Pirate players and fans that Tsutsugo continues to occupy a spot on the 26-man roster.

Tsutsugo should have been gone already, and now he really needs to be designated for assignment immediately. The player who should replace Tsutsugo on the active roster is outfielder Jack Suwinski.

While Suwinski was stuck in a major slump before being optioned to Triple-A last month, he had also hit 14 home runs which led all National League rookies. He had proven he belongs in the majors. Entering play on Tuesday he had hit for a .268/.348/.634 slash line to go with a 10.9% walk rate and a 152 wRC+ in 46 plate appearances at Triple-A. Suwinski needs to replace Tsutsugo on the active roster, and, between right field and designated hitter, play every day.

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