One of the longest-tenured players on the Pittsburgh Pirates is no longer a member of the club. The team released outfielder Gregory Polanco on Saturday after designating him for assignment.
A great teammate, friend and someone who always greets you with a smile.
Thank you for all you did for the Pirates, @El_Coffee. 💛 pic.twitter.com/m9l3rK1u0P
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 28, 2021
The Dominican was signed by the Pirates at 17-years-old and came through their minor league system, eventually making his MLB debut in 2014. The right fielder was in the midst of a rough season for the Bucs, hitting just .208 with 11 home runs. However, he was 6 for 11 in his last four contests.
Pirates GM had this to say about Polanco's departure:
“Gregory has been a true professional throughout his entire Pirates career, including in our conversation with him regarding today’s roster move,” said general manager Ben Cherington in a statement. “He has been a great teammate who always handled himself with class and took a great deal of pride in representing the Pirates and the city of Pittsburgh. We wish him nothing but success moving forward.”
Although Polanco is just a .241 career hitter, he's a serviceable defender in right field with a strong arm and has the ability to hit for power. His best campaign came in 2018, hitting 23 long balls.
With that being said, there will be several teams with their eye on the veteran, who brings experience to any ballclub.
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