On Friday, veteran infielder Todd Frazier exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract after being told by the Pirates he was not going to make the opening day roster.
In his explanation for why Saturday afternoon, Derek Shelton said the decision came down to versatility and how the Pirates construct their opening day team.
“I don’t know if we’re going to take 14 or if we’re going to take 13 pitchers [to Chicago to start the season],” Shelton said. “If we do take 14 pitchers, then versatility is going to be really important, and I think that kind of led to our decision.”
Frazier split time between third base and first this spring, but has not played a position besides those two -- outside of an inning of pitching -- since 2013. As a non-roster player, the Pirates would have had to open up a spot on the 40-man for him, though it appears one will be opened anyway since Steven Brault will be sidelined 10-12 weeks with a left lat strain.
Frazier hit three home runs and had a .996 OPS in his 12 games played.
Meanwhile, Phillip Evans, who appears to be a safe bet to make the opening day team, can also play the corner infield spots, as well as the corner outfield and a bit in the middle infield. Dustin Fowler, one of the outfielders competing for a spot, made his first appearance at first base in Saturday’s game against the Red Sox.
Though he is not making the team, Shelton spoke highly of Frazier throughout camp and on Saturday.
“His time here, he was great,” Shelton said. “He was great in the clubhouse, did a nice job in the field. I really enjoyed the time being around him. He’s a fun guy to be around, a good player.”
Between Frazier opting out and right-hander Tyler Bashlor being optioned after Saturday's game, the Pirates now have 35 players remaining in camp for 26 roster spots.
ALEX'S TAKE:
The Frazier decision was definitely unexpected. We can discuss the pros and cons of carrying 14 pitchers early in the season with the abundance of off-days, but there needs to be some depth for position players too. Evans has had a fine spring, and in the name of meritocracy, probably earned an opening day roster spot. But Frazier was doing well too, and Evans has options remaining. He would have been promoted once a position player went down. That might not be fair, but it's just the nature of the beast.
Perhaps the taxi squad can provide some extra position player depth, but starting the season with Frazier sounds a lot better than hanging on to Wilmer Difo or a similar player in NRI-limbo a little longer.
YOUR TURN: Should the Pirates have added Frazier to the roster?