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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 24: Greg Allen #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after coming around to score on a two run RBI single by Yoshi Tsutsugo #25 (not pictured) 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)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 24: Greg Allen #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after coming around to score on a two run RBI single by Yoshi Tsutsugo #25 (not pictured) 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 Greg Allen for assignment, re-call Travis Swaggerty

Switch-hitting outfielder Greg Allen is another veteran who is contributing nothing to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Allen has just 25 PAs since coming off the 60-day injured list. In these 25 PAs he has hit for a .115/.115/.154 slash line, to go with a -32 wRC+, -21 OPS+, and a 38.5% strikeout rate.

Could one argue that Allen deserves a more extended look before the Pittsburgh Pirates move on from him? Absolutely. That said, Allen is a 29-year-old career journeyman with a a 72 wRC+ and OPS+ in 691 career PAs.

Allen does not have a future with the Pirates. Due to this, he should not be on the roster and getting ABs for the Bucs. Due to this, he needs to be designated for assignment with former first-round pick Travis Swaggerty replacing him on the roster.

Earlier this season the left-handed hitting Swaggerty had nine plate appearances with the Pirates. He was not given much of a fair shake, though, with six of those nine coming against lefties. He was also quickly jettisoned back to Triple-A after struggling.

In 291 PAs at Triple-A this season Swaggerty has walked at a 10% clip, while hitting for a .267/.338/.439 slash line to go with a 107 wRC+. Swaggerty needs to be re-called and take over as the team’s every day left fielder for the rest of the season.

The Pirates need to see what they have in Swaggerty. Does he still have the potential to be an above average every day MLB player as was envisioned when he was drafted? The only way to find out is to play him regularly.