THE BENCH:
OF: Matt Joyce
UT: Sean Rodriguez
UT: Cole Figueroa
1B/3B/RF/LF: Jason Rogers
C: Elias Diaz (DL)
The Pirates brought Matt Joyce on board as a left-handed fourth outfielder, and at the price tag of $1 million, there really wasn’t any more reliable options available at the same or close to the same price. Sean Rodriguez is off to an incredible start. He has crushed two moonshot homeruns, and he has come close a few other times already this season. Rodriguez is showing a patient approach at the plate, already walking more than all of last season. Cole Figueroa is a solid defensive utility player, even if his bat isn’t the best. Rogers was excellent as a pinch hitter last season for the Brewers, batting .265 in those situations.
Fresh off a contract extension this offseason, Stewart is off to another surprisingly good start at the plate, including breaking through for his first homerun as a member of the Pirates. You can listen to him talking about the extension and expectations for the season here or by subscribing to the Pirates Breakdown podcast here. With Elias Diaz still muddled in an elbow injury that may or may not seriously derail his season, it makes it all that much more important to have a reliable backup.
Bench Total: $6,360,000
Roster Total: $40,261,666
Click here to take a look at the bullpen.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
