The Pirates have settled on Erik Gonzalez and Jung Ho Kang as their starters at shortstop and third base, respectively, to open the 2019 season, general manger Neal Huntington revealed to reporters Monday (Twitter links via Adam Berry of MLB.com).
Gonzalez’s primary competition for the shortstop role had been Kevin Newman and Kevin Kramer, the latter of whom was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis this morning, per a team press release. Newman, it seems, will still have the opportunity to compete for a utility role with the club, though he could land in Indianapolis as well if the Buccos decide he requires everyday at-bats. Kang, meanwhile, beat out Colin Moran for the role of primary third baseman. Moran will see some time at first base as well, which could afford him a bit more playing time.
The 25-year-old Gonzalez came to the Pirates in the offseason trade that sent Jordan Luplow and Max Moroff to the Indians. Gonzalez had to make the club one way or another, given that he’s out of minor league options, though it wasn’t set in stone that he’d break camp as the regular shortstop. The organization’s confidence in his glove, it seems, ultimately helped to sway the decision, as neither Gonzalez (.233/.303/.367 in 33 PAs) nor Newman (.276/.290/.448 in 30 PAs) has had a particularly impactful spring at the plate.
Kang, 32 on Opening Day, returned to the Pirates in September after missing all of the 2017 season and most of the 2018 campaign due to DUI arrests in his native South Korea, which prevented him from securing a work visa. He’ll likely bring a steadier glove to the hot corner than Moran displayed in 2018 (-8 Defensive Runs Saved, -6.6 UZR), and Kang has also connected on five spring home runs, although he’s also struck out 13 times in 31 trips to the plate. Moran is hitting .214/.303/.357 in his own tiny sample of 32 PAs.
Neither decision comes with permanence, of course. Gonzalez is a mere .263/.292/.389 hitter in 275 Major League plate appearances with Cleveland, and if he’s unable to improve on that paltry OBP, his bat will be enough of a liability that it’d eventually merit contemplation of a switch. This will, however, be his first chance at regular playing time, as he was limited to a utility role with the Indians given the presence of more established players such as Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez.
Kang, meanwhile, appeared in only three big league games last season — his first MLB action since 2016. He’s on a one-year, $3MM contract with the Pittsburgh organization, so he’ll have a bit of a leash early in the season but isn’t compensated such that the organization would shy away from moving on if he isn’t providing value.
How dare the Pirates rob us of the Kramer and Newman combo
They’re both terrible. Newman is as vanilla as it gets and Kramer strikes out 50% of the time.
*insert joke-over-your-head gif*
Nothing goes over my head. I would catch it.
“I’m gonna die, surrounded by the biggest idiots in the world”
its amazing how many people on this site lack a sense of humor and/or have no personality at all. more than any other website ive ever followed, its baseball trade rumors that brings out the dull commentary.
it was an obvious seinfeld reference ronsnow. kramer & newman. im not even that old and i got it
While I understand it’s a joke, as a fan of the team I can also tell you that to play them both would be just as big a joke. Maybe Newman develops into a solid ML reserve eventually but he just isn’t ready yet. I think I’m the long run these players will only be remembered for their names and the Seinfeld connection.
You should try playing scrabble with smart people with online college degrees.
Its amazing how many times I’ve heard the Kramer/Newman joke since the start of last year. It was funny at first, but its gotten old.
That’s the first time I heard it… “no soup for you.”
Sportznut for President.
Saying Pirates have “settled” doesn’t sound too promising for the left side of their infield.
Pirates will still finish far ahead of the Cubbies.
“Settling” is what the Pirates are best at… just bad enough to collect subsidies, and just good enough to fleece their fans. Pgh’s FO has mastered mediocrity.
Amen…
White Sox fans are weak trollers. And the Chisox ABs are usually weak rollers.
Newwwwwwwman
Hahaha nice
Makes me want to watch Seinfeld
Don’t blame me, I voted for Kodos.
They should go play for the Red Sox. Beer and Kenny Rogers Roasters in the clubhouse during the game.
Well, they play like Elaine and George.
wow, i figured Kang had a good shot to unseat Gonzalez if they let him play SS, but not that theyd start him over Moran.
Moran is the Sid Bream of this generation–perfectly useful as a bench piece/part of a platoon, but all but useless as a regular.
Perfect comparison
Great comparison.
Kang didn’t play a good SS before his visa banning. He played there a bit when he first joined the Bucs but didn’t have the range for it, and I think he’s put on weight since then so I doubt his range is any better. In any event, the Bucs have seemed pretty intent on leaving Kang at 3B.
Reports say he came in to camp in the best shape of his career.
i know the Bucs had moved Kang to 3B for a reason, but i figured it would also be a much better fit if they gave it a go. Gonzalez profiles as a better utility piece then Moran in my mind anyway.
If Kang can play to his potential and Bell rediscovers his power, the Pirates offense is much improved from last year. This team is a sneaky contender.
the only position this team is sneaking up on is 4th place
i dont think they can beat out any of the teams in the division besides the reds ig they choose to sell, but they still can be an above-average 5th place team if everything comes together. not great, but accaptable all things considered i can imagine.
Pirates have the second best pitching staff (Cardinals) in the NLC, had the best division record in 2018, and still managed to win 83 games despite being inconsistent. People talk about this Pirates team like they are as bad as the Orioles or Marlins. Obviously, the Pirates need things to go their way, but they’re really not that far behind. Especially if Kang and Bell are able to return to form.
Cards pitching Is not a sure thing. Martinez is hurt again. Wainwright is not near the same workhorse. Mikolas may be great or may regress Cubs might be,great or they might not. Their bullpen is currently a mess. The Brewers have pitching issues. Reds obtained names but they may not translate into a ton of wins. That is why they play the games. This will be a pretty interesting division to watch.
Sneaky contender, the dumbest, most overused term on this site. They might as well be using hot dog vendors at 3rd and short, but sure, they have a shot
they will definitely be a sneaky last place team for sure
You probably said that last year too when they traded Gerrit Cole
“Sneaky” and “fleeced” are way overused by commenters on this site.
no, they were a better team than the reds last season on paper, I predicted 4th place for them last season. they are no longer better than the reds in my opinion so I have them as a 5th place team
Let’s all argue if they end up 4th or 5th this year. That’s some fun stuff
Just glad I haven’t seen “juicy” and “bump” lately, I.e. – Clayton Kershaw takes the bump today in a juicy matchup against the Padres.
Fleeced isn’t used enough on this site when referencing the Pirates.
I thought the word “slashed,” when referring to hitting, was the most overused term on the site.
Kang can rake. He’s no hot-dog vendor.
He could rake… he hasnt played in 2 years… and after the things he did even if I was a Pitt fan I’d boo him off the field
OK, Mr. Perfect… if you say so.
Mr perfect? The dude has been arrested for dui 3 times. If you dont see an issue with that, I feel sorry for you
What Kang did was a very serious crime.Fortunately,no one was hurt in his incidents that I am aware of.
I think that if he had not been stopped,and he did it again,he should have been jailed for at least a year if not longer until he proved that he would never do it again.
By all accounts,he has stayed sober,and seemingly gotten his life in order.
He could not play the game that he loves for almost two whole years,losing many millions of dollars during this time.
It seems to me that he has paid a fair price for his transgressions,and should be given the benefit of any doubt unless he proves that he does not deserve it.
Such is the life of a Pirates fan. And people wonder why I get so upset at Cubs and Mets fans complaining about not spending money.
I do start to understand.
no depth. trade dickerson and Frazier, they deserve better… yikes gonna be a long 162
Ok armchair GM. Trade Dickerson and Frazier to who and for whom? Takes 2 to make a deal and as for this yr Frazier may not catch everything…he will hit everything.
I believe Harvey was implying that CD & AF should be “set free” from the purgatory that is Pgh baseball.
See the “fleeced” reference above…
I for one am happy to see Gonzalez finally get a chance at full-time play. Always solid glove work, and now maybe regular at bats will lead to better production.
Wonder if he could end up as Jesus Aguilar 2.0, just with less power?
I’m hoping more like Marwin Gonzalez. Someone with ability but no opportunity.
I agree suffer, glad to see him get regular ABs. I wish we could have jettisoned Kipnis and kept Gonzalez instead of picking up moroff and luplow.
Oh dear, balls will be sneaking through the left side of the infield
Gonzalez is known for his glove work and Kang is a career +4 DRS at thirdbase, so this comment makes no sense.
Addy Russell beats on women. Still with the team.
Kang drives drunk multiple times endangering who knows how many people? Heres 3 million.
But take a puff of weed during the offseason? Suspended without pay. Do it a couple more times and lifetime ban. Well…..unless you play in New York.
Bravo, MLB.
Both Kang and Russell were suspended, what’s your point?
MLB doesn’t suspend for weed. Minor leagues do, but marijuana isn’t outlawed in MLB.
Germans? Pearl Harbor? Let it go. He’s on a roll.
I could’ve missed some Pirate additions I admit that’s possible but I don’t see what they’ve done to make them a contending team in a very good nlc division. The Cubs and Brewers are close to the same which is much better than the Pirates were. The Cardinals who were all ready better added Goldschmidt and Andrew Miller. The Reds have changed so drastically Idk. A max of three make the playoffs. Anyone think the Pirates are one of them? You’ve lost your mind
I think any one of the 5 could win the division. Wouldn’t shock me to see the Cubs finish 5th or 1st, think the Central is wide open.
Do you know what the Brewers record against the Pirates was last season ?
The youngsters are on the doorstep. Ke’Bryan Hayes should be up by the end of May if Kang is struggling. Middle infielders are getting closer to be called up as well.
I actually would have liked to see Moran get the job at 3rd; he was somewhat promising in 2018. He showed some reasonable on-base skills, just not a ton of power. The defense is probably what got Kang the job, but Moran looks like he could be a Chase Headley-type of player if he could improve his defense – an underpoweredd third baseman with some on-base skills to help offset the lack of power. But I doubt his defense improves enough now, sitting on the bench.
Defense was Headley’s calling card, which is WHY he was allowed to be a low power, high OBP kind of guy.
Yeah, exactly. I was just thinking the offensive profile was similar.
I’ve seen teams make some additions that have gotten some buzz going giving their fans a glimmer of hope. If this guy can do this and this guy has a bounce back year plus the guys we added etc… But the Pirates don’t even have that. They’re a mediocre non playoff team without any hope. There’s simply no reason to believe they will add the amount of wins they need to make the playoffs. Probably a .500 team
Stephan Alemais is their best MIF by far based on all the games i’ve seen down on farm.
Alemais cant hit
IIRC: Moran still has an option left as well should Hayes continue his amazing progress through super-2. .. its still fairly unlikely but Kang is at the end of his deal, unless they extend him (which wouldn’t be their worst idea ever) Hayes could make Kang available at the deadline.
at short, either is an upgrade over last year providing Newman’s bat continues to get better (been better as of late) and Erik’s defense is better than Jordy’s was. But the real hope is Tucker later this season or next, his glove looks awesome. Lets just hope Bell is able to pick’m up.
Seems like Moran is going to take Ho Kang to a bar to celebrate. Don’t see Kang at the hot corner for long.
Whomever posted “Drunk Ho Kang” last year. That still makes me laugh when I read anything about him.
I don’t really have an issue with either of these moves and I’m not sure why anyone would have an issue. The Bucs have given Moran every opportunity to take hold of the 3B job dating back to last year, and while he hasn’t played poorly, he’s not been much better than adequate. That lineup needs a power bat and Kang is also better defensively, so it’s not a hard decision. As for SS, Gonzalez’s defense is good enough that if he shows any offense at all it’s not a bad idea to put him out there until any of Tucker, Newman or Kramer proves they are all-around a better option there. The latter 2 probably won’t; Tucker might, but not yet.
Good to see the Pirates are making this call now rather than on opening day. Being decisive when the evidence is clear. My concern is not the left side of IF but rather is Bell at 1B. We’ll need a plan B there after a month of play. Bell just doesn’t cut it in the bigs.
Colin should be at 3b and would have led the league in OBP. If his beard got any bigger, he would have blocked the plate resulting in an endless spree of HBPs.
That is why Rip Van Winkle led the American Association in OBP in 1888.
Everyone thought that he was sleeping but he was actually moonlighting on the ball field.
It was a brilliant idea then and I congratulate Moran for learning from history.
The only problem I have with Gonzalez is his offense. On a team that doesn’t hit for alot of power, they can’t hide non-productive, defense only players.
I think that they are banking on Polanco coming back early,Marte hitting twenty again,Kang being a power hitter,and the 2017 Bell returning.
Power hitters who can play the field reasonably well are at a premium and too expensive for the Pirates.
That’s alot to ask for. Hopefully, Polanco not only comes back early but is also productive offensively, at least close to last years levels. For the Pirates to be competitive in 2019, they’ll need to have minimal regression from their pitchers and position players.
They do not have good enough fielding to win low scoring games.They have little or no power.They did not sign FA’s to provide good depth.They have no stars.
They are a team that has to have minimal injury losses and good years from just about everybody.
If it all comes together then I think that they will contend for the Divison title.
But,as you said,that’s a lot to ask for.
CarGo takes exception to your definition of “going for a premium”.
Gio
Melky needs to start in right field over Chisenhall until Polanco’s ready. Does anyone agree or disagree?
Melky doesn’t run very well so he’s a defensive liability. But I haven’t seen enough of Chisenhall but I think he moves better than Melky.
I think Chisenhall is better but your comment may be a moot point as he is always hurt.
I think that Chisenhall will play as Melky’s contract is not guaranteed.
This could change if Melky has an outstanding ST,