The Pirates made a big bet on Gregory Polanco last spring, signing him to a five-year extension worth a guaranteed $35 million.
He repaid them with career highs in homers (22) and OPS (.786) in 2016, but he has scuffled so far this year — he had just four homers and a .684 OPS entering the game Tuesday in Milwaukee.
This has prompted some folks, including a fan in Stephen J. Nesbitt’s Pirates mailbag this week, to question where Polanco’s career might be heading.
How does Andy Van Slyke territory sound?
If you’re an optimist, probably not great.