Source: Polanco placed on outright waivers
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ST. LOUIS -- The longest-tenured Pirate may be moving on to a new team.
A source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that the Bucs placed outfielder Gregory Polanco on outright waivers following Sunday afternoon's 3-0 loss to the Cardinals.
While on outright waivers, Polanco is still active on the Major League team, as he played right field in Monday’s series opener against the D-backs at PNC Park. He can remain active unless he is claimed by another team or he is placed on release waivers.
Polanco, 29, was signed as an amateur free agent in 2009 by the Pirates, and he’s spent the last eight seasons on the Major League team. The outfielder has had trouble getting his offense going over the past two seasons, hitting .183 with 18 home runs in 151 games.
However, Polanco has crushed baseballs when he squares them up, as he is routinely near the top of the maximum exit velocity leaderboards. If Polanco’s time is over with Pittsburgh, another club could take a shot on him as a fourth outfielder or a bench bat with homer potential.
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As they retool, the Bucs want to give Major League opportunities to younger players and prospects going forward. One of those players, Anthony Alford, came off the injured list on Monday.
The Pirates also have four of their Top 30 Prospects getting outfield reps at Double-A Altoona or Triple-A Indianapolis: Tucupita Marcano (No. 9), Matt Fraizer (No. 23), Canaan Smith-Njigba (No. 28) and Jack Suwinski (No. 30). Their opportunities will come sooner or later, possibly this September or next season.