Gregory Polanco, the Pirates' longest-tenured player and their last link to the 2014 and 2015 teams, has been released.
The club announced the move Saturday afternoon, saying that Cole Tucker would be recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis to take his spot on the roster.
"Gregory has been a true professional throughout his entire Pirates career, including in our conversation with him regarding today’s roster move," Ben Cherington said. "He has been a great teammate who always handled himself with class and took a great deal of pride in representing the Pirates and the city of Pittsburgh. We wish him nothing but success moving forward."
Manager Derek Shelton said telling Polanco of his release was "probably one of the most challenging things I've done in the two years of being a major league manager," citing Polanco's professionalism and good nature.
"Every day he had the big smile on his face. He was a wonderful teammate," Shelton said. "The thing that really stands out is he was the longest-tenured Pirate, and I would be hard-pressed for you to say in the last two years since I've been here, that he didn't run out every single ball or he didn't play hard and he didn't give everything he had, both in our clubhouse and on the field. I commend him for his effort and thank him for his effort in that regard."
Shortly after, Polanco had to say goodbye to a clubhouse where he was well liked and respected.
"I learned a lot from him about going through the grind of seasons and stuff like that," Steven Brault said, saying that Polanco is one of his favorite teammates ever. "He's a great guy. I'm going to miss him a lot. I wish the best for him in the future."
The decision was ultimately made to give other players a chance in right field for the final 33 games of the season, especially with September call-ups around the corner.
"What went into the decision was just the opportunity for other people to start getting at-bats as we move forward in September and just playing different people," Shelton said. "We felt like, we were at that point, organizationally."
"[The rosters are] not expanding the way they have in the past. It’s a shortened roster," Shelton said, explaining why the move was being made now. "We have to make sure that we maximize the opportunities and the innings or at-bats for guys, and this is why we deemed this to be the right time."
The decision comes less than a week after the Pirates floated Polanco on outright waivers. That move came on Sunday, but no team was willing to take on the remainder of his contract.
It continued to be a difficult week for the longtime right fielder, who misplayed a routine play on Wednesday night that cost his team the lead in a loss to the Diamondbacks.
On Thursday, Polanco opened up about how the boos and calls for him to be released effected him.
“That’s not nice to hear that,” Polanco said. “ ‘Release him! DFA him! Send him back!’ They don’t understand. They don’t know how hard it is. I’m doing 100% every day to get better. This has been a hard year for me. This is my free agent year. I want to do better. I want to do good. I want to keep playing baseball until I can’t. I don’t want to retire. I don’t want to be home. I want to be on the baseball field. This is what I love. They don’t understand, and that sucks.”
While Polanco's final game with the Pirates is a happy one, capping a six-run comeback with a go-ahead double Thursday night, Saturday's release brings three years of frustration to a close.
In September 2018 he severely injured his left shoulder, requiring surgery. He never fully bounced back, posting OPS marks of .726 and .539 in abbreviated 2019 and 2020 campaigns.
This year, he is slashing .208/.283/.354 with 11 home runs, 36 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Baseball Reference lists him as being worth -1.4 WAR.
This is the final season of a 5-year, $35 million contract Polanco signed in 2016. He is due a $3 million buyout this offseason. Any team that potentially signs Polanco will only be due to pay him a prorated portion of the league minimum. The remainder of his $11 million salary will be paid by the Pirates.
If he signs by August 31, he will be playoff eligible with a potential new team.
In his eight-year major league career, Polanco hit .241 with 96 home runs, 362 RBIs and 98 stolen bases.
Taking his place, Tucker will play both outfield and infield in what should be an extended cameo down the homestretch of the season.
The Pirates also reinstated left-hander Sam Howard from the injured list Saturday. Dillon Peters was placed on the injured list with a low back strain.
