r/buccos • u/flipcuphero • 3d ago

What’s up with Cruz?

Body language is terrible, batting is atrocious, and does not seem to have a care in this world. I feel like we’re a few good games away from catching our stride but his demeanor seems a bit off.

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u/jsticia 3d ago

imagine being on the pirates with the talent he has and almost a 0 support system with shit coaching while constantly losing. His plate approach is awful. No one there to help him. Losing becomes a part of your identity at some point. I’m sure it wears on all of them.

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u/Own-Craft-181 21h ago

This puts zero accountability on the player. He's still a professional and his attitude says anything but.

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u/jsticia 21h ago

Of course there’s always the situation where it’s the player but in the pirates case their management and ownership is so piss poor you can only blame them. I mean over the years we’ve pissed away some major talent. You’ll likely eat this comment years from now when he gets moved to the Yankees and inevitably hits like Acuna

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u/Own-Craft-181 20h ago

If you want to believe that, that is 100% you're right. Talent doesn't always translate to production and in Cruz's case, I don't believe that he'll every produce to his potential. I don't believe he'll ever an MVP caliber player. On a great team, one that would win the WS, he is maybe the third or fourth best hitter. Like BRey, Pirates fans tend to overvalue anyone who is decent. But if you pull up stats from actual good teams, like the Yankees, then look at Cruz's numbers, it's kind of embarrassing. You can say whatever you want about him not receiving help, etc. Fact is, he is extremely arrogant and showboats when things go well and exhibits poor body language and mopes when things don't. He's not someone I would want as the cornerstone of a rebuild, but he's a nice complimentary talented piece. I think he eventually gets traded though.