Pittsburgh Pirates: Time to Cut Ties With the Veterans

SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 29: Josh VanMeter #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres on May 29, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 29: Josh VanMeter #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres on May 29, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 27: Josh VanMeter #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 27, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 27: Josh VanMeter #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 27, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Designate Josh VanMeter for assignment, re-call Tucupita Marcano

Tsutsugo has been the worst player for the Pirates this season, but the second worst has been utility man Josh VanMeter. He has hit for a woeful .184/.267/.296 slash line and 61 wRC+ this season.

VanMeter has struggled defensively at second base, third base and first base. Both his average exit velocity and hard hit rate are below league average. No matter how you paint it VanMeter has been terrible and he should be designated for assignment.

Before he was optioned back to the minor leagues last month, utility man Tucupita Marcano was hitting for a .229/.280/.357 slash line to go with a wRC+ of 80 and an OPS+ of 79 in the majors. However, he was walking at a 7% clip and his average exit velocity of 86 MPH was higher than league average. He also played strong defense for the Pirates.

Since returning to the minors Marcano has hit for a .362/.433/.500 slash line to go with an 11.9% walk rate, just a 14.9% strikeout rate and a 152 wRC+ in 67 PAs with Triple-A Indy. He has more than earned his re-call to the majors, and the Pittsburgh Pirates need to be find ways to get him at-bats in the majors.

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