Pirates Must Overcome Controversy in 2020

The Controversy

The Pirates also had their share of controversy, from fights in the clubhouse to sexual assault charges being filed against a member of their pitching staff. 

Two-time All-Star, Felipe Vázquez, was charged with unlawful contact with a minor. The allegations go back as far as 2017, where Vázquez not only had physical interactions with a 13-year old, he also sent explicit photos of the encounter. That action earned him additional charges of possessing and distributing child pornography – another felony.

Vázquez was finally arrested on November 17th, 2019. Major League Baseball has since placed Velazquez on the restricted list, subsequent to his admission of guilt. 

Just seven days before his arrest, Vázquez and fellow teammate, Kyle Crick got into a physical confrontation. The conflict was over Crick’s music, and when Vázquez asked him to shut it off, a heated argument began. After the altercation, Crick needed to have surgery to repair his right index finger; Vázquez needed six stiches on his nose. 

Next, (now former) Pirates’ manager, Clint Hurdle, walked out of the clubhouse just prior to the team’s final game of the season. Just a few days before, Hurdle had announced to the media that he’d be returning for 2020, but was notified he’d been fired just prior to the first pitch of the Buc’s last game of the season. Hurdle was offered the opportunity to manage his final game, but instead walked out.

These distractions, among others, during the Pirates’ 2019 season undoubtedly contributed to their poor record. Coupled with a losing record, tension rose among the team members. With the clubhouse now a toxic environment, veteran outfielder, Starling Marte, asked to be traded.

What Should Shelton do?

Looking forward, however, the Pirates have a ton of young talent, which will undoubtedly contribute to a healthier future. Furthermore, in order to get the team back on track, manager Derek Shelton must gather his veteran players together, while using his youthful prospects and rookies to dictate their future. 

With incredible players such as top prospect O’Neil Cruz, coming up the pipeline, the Pirates should have a hungry team going into the new decade. Josh Bell, an All-Star in 2019, is at the forefront of this Pirates team. And it’s essential that Shelton use him to set an example. The MLB season is fast approaching, and the Pirates could be a surprise team this year. 

In order to have a successful 2020 season, they must learn to fallback on their veterans. Players like Bell or Gregory Polanco, who have played in Pittsburgh their entire careers, are the perfect mentors for the rookies.

Despite all of their ups and downs last season, it’s now a new year, a new season and a new decade. This means a fresh start for the Pirates, where the youth movement is strong. However, with a 60-game season almost ready to begin, the Bucs must forget about the negatives. They must instead look forward to what the future holds for this historic franchise. 

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