Around the Horn: Bench

02/15/2006
Because of the grind of a 162-game schedule, reserves play a more prominent role in baseball than in any other professional sport.
Rare is the player who can answer the bell each and every day. Fatigue and slumps are common. Injuries are inevitable. In order to be competitive, a club must have depth.
The Pittsburgh Pirates clearly have a stronger bench than they did a year ago. As a result of the offseason additions of new starting first baseman Sean Casey, right fielder Jeromy Burnitz and third baseman Joe Randa, the Bucs have been able to push former starters into reserve roles.
Infielder Freddy Sanchez, outfielder/first baseman Craig Wilson and outfielder Jody Gerut were slotted in as potential 2006 starters before the Bucs went on their winter shopping spree. Instead, they'll form the nucleus of a reserve unit that should give new manager Jim Tracy plenty of options.
"Part of getting better at the Major League level is you have to have quality backups," said Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield.
"I think it is a good mix. Talent-wise, we are getting better."
Sanchez, who was healthy last season for the first time in two years, batted .291 with five home runs and 35 RBIs in 132 games. A versatile defender with good range and arm strength, Sanchez will serve as the team's primary backup at third base, shortstop and second base.
Although Sanchez is disappointed that he was not given the opportunity to compete for the starting third-base job, he say he's prepared to take on a lesser role for the good of the team.
"I'd love to start. Obviously, that's my main goal," said Sanchez. "But this year, I really feel like we have a chance to win. As much as I want to play, I want to win more.
"You just have to stay mentally prepared. It's a long season and anything can happen. You obviously don't wish an injury on anybody, but things happen. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some at-bats."
Wilson, who was sidelined for much of last season by hand injuries after leading the Bucs with 29 home runs in 2004, will serve as Casey's primary backup at first base. He'll also see time in right and left field.
Wilson's most vital role, however, could be as a big bat off of the bench late in games. As a rookie in 2001, Wilson tied the Major League record with seven pinch-hit home runs. In 79 career at-bats off the bench, he's gone deep 11 times and driven in 21 runs.
Wilson's ability to change a close game with one swing is something the Bucs pinch-hitters were missing in 2005, when they finished last in the National League with one home run and next-to-last in the league with a .197 average and 24 RBIs.
Gerut, who can play all three outfield positions, showed great promise when he hit 22 home runs as a rookie with the Cleveland Indians in 2003. Unfortunately, Gerut has been hampered by knee problems for the past two seasons, and he appeared in just four games with the Pirates after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs in a trade-deadline deal.
If, as expected, Gerut and Wilson are at full strength for the start of the season, they'll provide the Pirates with a potent righty-lefty combination off of the bench.
"To be able to bring in a backup like Wilson, who has hit 29 home runs and 82 RBIs, or a guy like Gerut, who hit 22 home runs in [2003] -- we haven't had that luxury," said Littlefield.
"Injuries are going to happen everywhere. It happens to every team, every season, and it's going to happen to us. Wilson and Gerut will be very valuable guys and get lots of at-bats over the course of the season."
With Humberto Cota and Ryan Doumit splitting the catching chores, the final bench spot will likely be up for grabs between veteran Jose Hernandez and prospect Yurendell DeCaster. Hernandez, a former All-Star shortstop who can play all seven infield and outfield positions, could have the upper hand because he performed well under Tracy for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004.

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/