Tommy Pham

Pham probably won't be very happy if the Pirates stick him into a platoon role at the beginning of the season, but based on Jack Suwinski's performance this spring, it'd likely be the right play for the team. Even if Suwinski, who had a 110.6-mph double today, weren't out-OPSing Pham by 400 points at the moment (1.022 to .624), he'd still project as the better hitter against righties. He's the better defender, too.

Pham singled off of Garrett Crochet in the opening inning, drew a walk against him in the third and singled once more against the star southpaw in the sixth inning. The Pirates were unable to cash him in any of those times though. He's off to a very slow start overall on the spring, hitting just .175 (7-for-40) with a homer, one RBI and a pair of stolen bases.

Bae (1.168 OPS) and Jack Suwinski (1.025 OPS) are making things tough for a Pirates team that decided to promise spots to Andrew McCutchen, Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier, all of whom are long past their primes. Of course, it's far from assured that either Bae or Suwinski will keep this up, but both truly might belong in the starting lineup against right-handers to begin the year. Alas, there only figures to be room for one on the roster unless someone gets hurt. Suwinski is probably the better choice for the Pirates, even if Bae is simply crushing it this spring. He has seven extra-base hits now. McCutchen, Pham and Frazier have combined for four.

It was another modest offseason for the Pirates, who are banking on their young arms to carry them into contention. Major League Signings LHP Andrew Heaney: One year, $5.25MM DH/OF Andrew McCutchen: One year, $5MM OF Tommy Pham: One year, $4.025MM LHP Caleb Ferguson: One year, $3MM 2B/OF Adam Frazier: One year, $1.525MM LHP Tim…

It was another modest offseason for the Pirates, who are banking on their young arms to carry them into contention. Major League Signings LHP Andrew Heaney: One year, $5.25MM DH/OF Andrew McCutchen: One year, $5MM OF Tommy Pham: One year, $4.025MM LHP Caleb Ferguson: One year, $3MM 2B/OF Adam Frazier: One year, $1.525MM LHP Tim…