Yu Chang traded to Pirates

After being designated for assignment just a few days earlier Yu Chang is heading to Pittsburgh. The Pirates acquired Chang from Cleveland for cash.

This was a move that seemed destined to happen for quite some time. Yu Chang was never going to be an integral part of the Guardians lineup. Add in others stepping into positions he is able to play and outperforming Chang and the writing was on the wall. Cleveland’s infield seems set with Jose Ramirez, Andres Gimenez, Amed Rosario, Owen Miller, Josh Naylor, and Ernie Clement playing full-time or part-time roles. The positional flexibility of players such as Gimenez, Miller, and Clement led to Chang being a redundancy. A redundancy that was not performing at an acceptable level.

Yu Chang struggled in his limited play time this season, striking out seven times in just 10 at-bats. High strikeout rates are more tolerable than the past, but that usually comes with extreme power potential or at least some hits, the latter being completely absent in his four games of action.

Over his career Chang is a .208/.265/.372 hitter with 10 career home runs (nine coming last season) with 102 strikeouts in 331 at-bat. Chang’s career WRC+ stands at just 71 while his best season as a professional was just 85 (average is 100). In Pittsburgh Chang should get an opportunity as bench/role player of some sort. Is is possible that semi-regular playing time produces better numbers. The concern is that his pedestrian at-best production across all levels leaves a lot to be desired.