ESPN's 'biggest Pirates need' proves they haven't watched the team in 2025

The Pirates as a team in 2025 have been unpleasant to watch, and there really is not one specific area to that is sinking the ship. A recent ESPN article begged to differ, though, and cast blame on one specific Pirate for the team's troubles: Oneil Cruz. According to the experts, his glove in the outfield has not been good enough, making Cruz's defense what needs to change for the Pirates to be successful.

Alright. A worry, sure, but also the least of their problems.

Defense is very important, especially in center field, but Cruz has also posted a wRC+ 142 with eight home runs, an .889 OPS, and 14 stolen bases. Is it really fair to blame a hitter who is single-handedly carrying the offense? No, not exactly.

His defense has undoubtedly been an issue, accounting for -8 defensive runs saved and -1 outs above average. Those metrics have combined to generate a -2 fielding run value. That is not good at all, but to blame the Pirates' 12-25 start on Cruz's defense alone is just completely not accurate.

ESPN labeling Oneil Cruz's glove as Pirates' biggest need is completely inaccurate.

Offense in general has been the biggest issue, aside from three consistent hitters. Cruz, Andrew McCutchen, and Joey Bart have been the only ones with a wRC+ over the league's average of 100. That just cannot happen. This offense just is not producing enough runs, ranking 27th in the league in runs scored at 117.

The offense won't be this bad all season, as Bryan Reynolds will eventually get going and two key injured hitters will return soon in Spencer Horwitz and Nick Gonzales.

Additionally, the pitching has also not quite been up to expectations. Paul Skenes has been great, Mitch Keller is doing what he needs to, and Andrew Heaney has exceeded expectations, but Carmen Mlodzinski and Bailey Falter have not been consistent enough. Mlodzinski should just not be a starter, while Falter has been pretty boom or bust.

The bullpen has also seen a handful of players struggle, especially the main two that crushed the Pirates in 2024. David Bednar and Colin Holderman were given their high-leverage roles back and collapsed once again to open the season. Others such as Kyle Nicolas and Hunter Stratton also got their chances and were not good enough, either.

The Pirates' efforts to find consistent success have not been sufficient. Overall, as a team, they clearly have not been good enough, and it isn't fair to label Cruz's scuffling glove as the primary issue.