Going into the 2017 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates will not have many questions in regards to their starting eight position players.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ position players will remain largely the same as they were last year down the stretch. That being said, Josh Bell may not have a set position going into 2017. He will most likely be the starting first baseman but will split time with David Freese and John Jaso. He will also get occasional reps in the outfield. One thing is certain. Josh Bell needs a chance to exceed 500 at bats next year. His bat is that good. Would Josh Bell be better suited to stick to one position in 2017? Could shifting around the diamond next year hinder his long term development? The answer to both of those questions is a resounding yes. Here is why.
Josh Bell already has a lot on his plate.
Bell is still pretty new to the first base position as he only starting playing there two years ago in the Arizona Fall League. Sure he struggled at times with the Pirates last season but he also showed some glimpses of hope. The range is there. He can pick balls out of the dirt. He just needs the experience and playing time to make the right decisions on 50/50 balls between him and the second baseman. He needs confidence.
Consider this. Josh Bell just turned 24 years old. He is a switch hitter. He is learning a new position. That is quite the laundry list for a player who just reached the major leagues. It would be asking a lot to give this kid another position to worry about on a consistent basis.
First Base is a hole that Josh Bell can fill for years to come.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have not had a first baseman start three consecutive Opening Days since Adam Laroche (2007-09). They have’t had a first baseman start five consecutive Opening Days since Kevin Young (1998-02). Since 2000, the Pirates have had 12 different starting first basemen on Opening Day. They treat first base like the Cleveland Browns treat quarterback. Josh Bell can change that and ultimately be the first baseman of the future. He could also possibly be the middle of the order thumper Pirates’ fans have always dreamed of.
There is no long term position for Josh Bell on the Pittsburgh Pirates other than first base. The outfield is set. Even if Andrew McCutchen leaves in two years, Austin Meadows will be waiting. The only other possibility for Josh Bell would be if the National League adopted the designated hitter.
A possible roster move to clean things up.
Like said earlier, Josh Bell, John Jaso, and David Freese all play first base. That’s a lot of traffic for that position. David Freese plays third base as well and John Jaso has been getting work at third base and in the outfield. It is time to trade John Jaso. He has value. Over the last two months of the season, Jaso slashed .307/.413/.568 with four home runs and nine doubles. Jaso still gets on base even when struggling. Although the first base position isn’t as thin as it was maybe a few year ago, some teams out there still have a need. A trade of Jaso for perhaps a bullpen arm or a more conventional utility man isn’t out of the question.
There is always a Plan B.
Even IF Josh Bell fails miserably and it is clear that he’ll never be able to play first base, the Pirates will still have options. Yes the long term hole at first base will persist, but David Freese would fill the short term need. At the end of the day, Josh Bell deserves a chance to show us what he’s got at first base over a full season. The Pirates need that bat in their lineup. His bat and potential heavily outweigh the possibility of him falling on his face at first base. Come on people. We dealt with Pedro Alvarez at first base for a whole season. It’s time to give Josh Bell a chance.
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