MLB Network host blasts Pirates' decision to move Oneil Cruz to outfield

When the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Oneil Cruz's abrupt midseason move from shortstop to center field in 2024, not everyone was pleased about it. In fact, some people still aren't.

Former Major Leaguer and current MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds blasted the move on a recent episode of "Hot Stove," citing Cruz's injury history and arguing that Pittsburgh pulled the plug on him at shortstop too quickly.

"I hated it," Reynolds said. "I did a whole thing last year looking at just the plays. Remember, this guy missed the whole year with an injury, and then you come back and he makes plays that he's rushing himself. I think they were correctable, I really do. I thought this was a panic move. I did not like him moving."

Cruz missed all but nine games in 2023 to a fractured left ankle, making 2024 his first full MLB season with 146 games. He made 24 errors — 12 throwing and 12 fielding – in 112 games at shortstop and posted -9 Defensive Runs Saved at the position according to FanGraphs. In his 23 games in center field, Cruz made two errors and posted -3 Defensive Runs Saved.

MLB Network's Harold Reynolds blasts Pirates' decision to move Oneil Cruz to outfield

It's a much smaller sample size, but Cruz's stint at center field in 2024 provided reason for optimism going forward. However, Reynolds' judgment of the Pirates moving Cruz to center field as a "panic move" was still a sound one. The timing of the move was admittedly strange; it happened very abruptly and was apparently even a surprise to Cruz himself.

Reynolds went on to make an additional argument moving Cruz from shortstop to center field, albeit a less convincing one.

"He's an attraction," Reynolds said. "You're in Pittsburgh, who are you paying to go watch? I want to watch the [6-foot-7] shortstop, yeah. That's part of the attraction."

Indeed, at 6-foot-7, Cruz was the tallest shortstop in Major League history. But with all due respect, no one is paying to go watch Cruz for his defense; they are paying to go watch his bat. No one is going to complain about not having a 6-foot-7 shortstop as long as their 6-foot-7 center fielder is putting the ball over the fence.

Still, improvement on defense should be a priority for Cruz in 2025, and it's not a high bar to clear after his defensive struggles from last season. Hopefully, having a full offseason to acclimate to his new position will be to his benefit.

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