Oneil Cruz's comments on Pirates forcing him to center field are eye-opening

The Pittsburgh Pirates' decision to move error-prone shortstop Oneil Cruz to center field was sudden, but it wasn't altogether surprising.

Cruz had committed 24 errors at shortstop this season, the second most in the major leagues, while recording a minus-9 defensive runs saved. The Pirates had recently placed everyday center fielder Michael A. Taylor on waivers (he awkwardly returned on Tuesday), and they have exactly zero pure center field prospects waiting in the wings.

Cruz's power at the plate is unparalleled by any other members of the Pirates' lineup, and his 6-foot-7 frame and cannon of an arm fit the profile of a major league outfielder. With Bryan Reynolds and Bryan De La Cruz locking up left and right field, respectively, only one move made sense for the Pirates and Cruz.

But while the move itself may have followed a logical path, Cruz's comments to the media Tuesday called the timing and the execution of said move into question.

“Never went through my mind that I was going to be moved because I was doing whatever it took for me to be the best at shortstop every day," Cruz said (via Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). "But no, I wasn’t expecting it.”

Pirates blindsiding Cruz with midseason position change shows poor planning, lack of long-term vision

The fact that Cruz himself was seemingly blindsided by the move doesn't exactly make the Pirates look good in this situation. Nor does forcing him to make a midseason change to a position he has never played before. The plan feels rushed, half-baked and desperate.

"If you left it up to me I'd think it was better after the season, but I can't control it," Cruz said (via Hiles). "That's the decision they made and I'm gonna go after it."

Cruz's combination of size, speed and arm strength should allow him to make the transition to playing center; but if the Pirates weren't willing to work with him to make him a better shortstop, are they really going to put in the work to coach him on an entirely new position (in September, no less)?

Moving from the infield to the outfield is not merely a matter of shifting back several feet. It involves safety considerations, such as adapting to the warning track and the outfield wall, and making situational plays like hitting the cutoff and throwing runners out at the plate. Cruz may very well be out of his depth, and the Pirates aren't doing him any favors.

More Pirates content from Rum Bunter