Ketel Marte controversy shows why Pirates had to draw a line with Carmen Mlodzinski

Ketel Marte’s ongoing drama with the Arizona Diamondbacks is far messier than anything the Pittsburgh Pirates experienced with Carmen Mlodzinski earlier this season. But that doesn’t mean Mlodzinski suddenly deserves a pass.

Marte’s situation reached another level when he failed to report for an August game in Boston without properly informing manager Torey Lovullo or the Diamondbacks. Arizona placed him on the restricted list, and team president Derrick Hall later described the circumstances surrounding Marte’s absence as a “complete mystery.”

Mlodzinski never went that far. But the principle behind Pittsburgh’s response to him was still the right one.

Back in May, the Pirates removed Mlodzinski from the rotation following Jared Jones’ return from the injured list. Mlodzinski had every reason to be disappointed after posting a 3.76 ERA across 55 innings as a starter, and he believed his performance had earned him the opportunity to remain in that role. The way he handled that disappointment, though, was inexcusable.

Before he was scheduled to pitch in relief on May 31, Mlodzinski informed the Pirates that he was not ready to pitch. Pittsburgh placed him on the restricted list and called up another reliever rather than operate with a short bullpen.

Mlodzinski communicated with the organization, which distinguishes his situation considerably from Marte simply not showing up. But communication still doesn't make the underlying decision acceptable.

The Pirates were trying to win games. They had a healthy pitcher on their roster whom they needed in the bullpen, and that pitcher effectively made himself unavailable immediately after losing the role he preferred. Pittsburgh couldn't indulge that.

Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte mess show why Pirates were right not to indulge Carmen Mlodzinski's frustration

A player can disagree with a roster decision. He can be frustrated by it, and he can make it clear to management that he believes he deserves another opportunity. What he cannot reasonably expect is for the team to accommodate his frustration by allowing him to decide when he is willing to perform the job he has been assigned.

That was especially true for a Pirates team attempting to establish itself as a contender. The entire situation became even more unnecessary when Mlodzinski returned after one day and embraced the bullpen role anyway. He said afterward that although he would always want to start, “winning games takes precedence.” Pittsburgh could have used that mentality from the beginning.

Mlodzinski has since bounced between roles as the Pirates have dealt with injuries and rotation changes, including returning to relief work again down the stretch. His willingness to handle those assignments now deserves credit, but it also reinforces why Pittsburgh was right to draw a firm line in May.

Marte’s situation shows what can happen when questions about a player’s availability become something larger than baseball strategy. His circumstances are more extreme, particularly because Arizona initially didn't even know why one of its best players was missing.

Mlodzinski’s case never reached that point. But the Diamondbacks’ headache shouldn't retroactively transform his own restricted-list stint into some harmless misunderstanding. Mlodzinski being upset about losing his rotation spot was understandable. Making himself unavailable because of it was not.

For all the criticism the Pirates receive for how they handle players — much of it deserved — this was one instance where the organization established the correct standard.

The manager and front office decide the role. The player can hate it. But if he's healthy, he still has to be available to pitch.

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