Consensus among scouts is that Bobby Crosby is no longer an everyday player

INDIANAPOLIS _ The Pirates are on the verge of signing free agent infielder Bobby Crosby with the idea that he will challenge incumbent Ronny Cedeno for the starting shortstop job in spring training.

However, the consensus among scouts familiar with Crosby who were polled on Tuesday at baseball’s winter meetings, is that he no longer an everyday player.

“You can play him all over the field and he’ll catch the ball wherever you put him,” said a talent evaluator from an American League club. “He hit some balls out of the park but he won’t hit for much on average. And you just can’t rely on him to play 130-140 games because he has too many physical problems.”

“Ronny Cedeno isn’t Derek Jeter but the Pirates are better off going with him than Bobby Crosby if that’s their alternatives,” said a National League scout.