Oneil Cruz's obscure MLB history may indicate it's time for Pirates to move on

After parts of five seasons, it's time for the Pittsburgh Pirates to admit that they have an Oneil Cruz dilemma.

The owner of the hardest hit ball in the Statcast era, Cruz is a player with freakish tools who might not be built to ever become a consistent winner. In 2025, he hit 20 home runs and stole 38 bases – but while he produces loud highlights, he produces almost nothing in between.

In fact, according to Baseball Reference, Cruz's 0.3 WAR in 2025 gives him the worst season in MLB history by a player with 20-plus homers and 35-plus steals.

The fact that Cruz joined a list of players with 20-plus homers homers and 35-plus steals but still rated among the worst overall performers says a lot. His batting average (.200), strikeout rate (32%) and on-base percentage (.298) were dreadful. Too many of his at-bats end in whiffs or weak contact, negating the value of his raw power and speed.

Cruz is one of the most athletic players in baseball – 6-foot-7, with a cannon for an arm and elite sprint speed – but that athleticism hasn’t translated to consistent results. At this point, his physical gifts almost feel more like a tease than a foundation. The Pirates can’t keep waiting for the “light bulb” moment when he finally puts it all together.

Cruz represents the push for “upside over reliability” we've seen time and time again from the Pirates' front office under Ben Cherington – prioritizing raw tools over baseball polish. His bizarre stat line, displaying elite power and speed, but poor value, is the perfect metaphor for a Pirates team that looks exciting in flashes but can’t sustain success. Cutting ties would signal a shift toward practical roster-building instead of wishful projection.

Pirates must be willing to accept harsh reality with Oneil Cruz after brutal 2025 season

Cruz is no longer a fresh-faced prospect; he’s 27 years old, entering what should be his prime years. But his swing decisions and strike-zone judgment haven’t improved meaningfully since his debut, suggesting that his issues might be instinctual rather than mechanical, making them harder to fix. At some point, the Pirates have to admit he may not grow into the disciplined hitter they’ve envisioned.

The Pirates are nearing a stage where they must choose an identity – build around steady, high-IQ players, or continue betting on volatility. Cruz’s profile doesn’t fit a club trying to solidify its core. His trade value, though down from its peak, still carries intrigue for tool-hungry teams, which means this offseason might be the last chance for Pittsburgh to extract meaningful value.

For Pittsburgh, the smart play might be to capitalize on what’s left of Cruz's name value, reset the infield around steadier pieces, and finally move from chasing “potential” to pursuing production that actually wins games.