First off, I’m pleased that in this time of great uncertainty in the world, baseball, for all its flaws, is back. Pirate City is populated again, and the optimism that greets every new baseball season—yes, even for the Pirates—is in the air.
Now, let’s talk about what kind of infielders Bucs fans will see in 2022.
The only absolute sure thing is this: Ke’Bryan Hayes owns the hot corner. He won’t be looking over his shoulder at spring training fearing for his job.
After that, we’ve got some competition.
First Base
When Ben Cherington gave Yoshi Tsutsugo $4 million this season and axed Colin Moran shortly thereafter, it was thought to be a given that Yoshi would be the Pirates’ everyday first baseman.