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BRADENTON, Fla. — Andrew McCutchen began what could be his final spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates by moving to a new position.

In late January, team management decided to move two-time Gold Glove winner Starling Marte from left field to center. McCutchen was switched to right field, a position he has never played in his professional career.

“It’s difficult because I still feel like I can play,” McCutchen said of center field before the Pirates’ first full-squad spring training workout on Friday. “I’ve always been the center fielder since my first game here. That’s where I’ve always played.”

McCutchen, 30, said he’d always expected to be able to tell the team when he was ready to move out of center field. Instead, the decision was made for him.

“This was more like, ‘This is something you have to do.’ It wasn’t an ask,” McCutchen said. “It wasn’t something I was ready for or something I wanted to do. But, as I’m saying that, I’m talking about myself. I had to not be as selfish and just accept that’s what I have to do and move over to right.”

Hurdle said McCutchen might play a few games in center this summer when Marte needs time off.

“Andrew played some of the best center field he’s ever played last season,” Hurdle said. “This is more about us having one of the elite defenders in the game and how do we best make our team better with the personnel we have.”

McCutchen admitted he’s a bit surprised to still be wearing a Pirates uniform. He was the subject of trade talks in the offseason, including a deal with the Washington Nationals that nearly came to pass during the winter meetings in December.

“I talked with upper management after it was all over,” McCutchen said. “Well … after the winter meetings. I wouldn’t say it’s all over. After the winter meetings were over, I talked to those guys and they expressed how they feel about what they did. That was that.”

With no assurance that he won’t be dealt later this year, McCutchen is trying to focus on the upcoming season.

“We all have expectations,” he said. “Nine times out of 10, life never goes that way. The dream is to be in a Pirates uniform, playing center field until I can’t play it anymore, winning countless World Series, MVPs and All-Stars and all that stuff. That’s great — but, reality hits.”

Joseph’s power could be crucial

CLEARWATER, Fla. — When Tommy Joseph was traded to Philadelphia back in 2012, the Phillies were just beginning their descent into a lengthy rebuilding period.

The years since then have been challenging for both Joseph and the franchise — but now, there are some signs of progress for both.

Joseph finally made his major league debut last May, a couple months before turning 25, and he went on to have a solid rookie season. He finished with 21 home runs in 315 at-bats, and with Ryan Howard no longer on the roster, Joseph has a chance to be a part of Philadelphia’s future at first base.

“I don’t think it was so much the power numbers, it was getting to the major leagues and having a healthy season. That was really the most gratifying thing,” Joseph said Friday before the Phillies’ first spring training full-squad workout. “As a ballplayer, your job is to come in here and give your manager the opportunity for you to play every day.”

Staying healthy has been an issue for Joseph, a top prospect in San Francisco’s system before he was traded to Philadelphia in the deal that sent Hunter Pence to the Giants. Joseph was a catcher then and had shown solid power at the Class A level, but his career was nearly derailed by concussions.

From 2013-15, Joseph played only 121 games in the minors. Finally, an impressive start at Triple-A last year earned him a promotion, and after about a month with the Phillies, he’d supplanted the struggling Howard at first base.

Howard hit much better after the All-Star break, and by the end of the season, he’d managed to reach 25 home runs, giving the Phillies two options with power at first base. But Philadelphia let Howard go , and he remains a free agent.

Philadelphia is now led by players such as Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera and Cesar Hernandez — and if Joseph proves capable of handling more playing time, he’s still young enough to fit in with that group.

“Tommy’s got some issues he’s got to take care of,” manager Pete Mackanin said. “It’s like any other hitter — the better you learn the strike zone, the more at-bats you don’t give away.”

Joseph had 75 strikeouts and 22 walks last season, finishing with a .308 on-base percentage. Even when he was hitting well at Triple-A, he drew only four walks in 27 games, so it’s no surprise that his selectivity at the plate remains an issue.

“Young players, when they come to the big leagues, it takes a little while to figure out what type of hitter you are and where your strengths are. He knows he’s a very good low ball hitter,” Phillies hitting coach Matt Stairs said. “So, just a matter of reminding him, over and over and over, ‘Hey, listen, you’re a low ball hitter, take your walks. You snuck up on some teams last year with the power you had.’”

Joseph’s platoon split is also a potential issue. In the majors last year, his OPS was better against left-handed pitchers (.912) than against righties (.774) — and now Howard is no longer around to take up at-bats against right-handers.

Joseph is hopeful that with more experience, he can keep improving.

“I’ve been hitting against right-handed pitching my entire minor league career. The only way you progress in the major leagues is having the opportunity to face those guys,” he said. “Getting an opportunity would be great, and allow me to continue to progress.”

Christie calls Phillies fan bitter

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia’s mayor is coming to the city’s defense against New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

The Republican governor this week declared that the Philadelphia Phillies “suck,” that its fans are bitter and angry and that it’s not safe for civilized people to go to their stadium.

Mayor Jim Kenney, a Democrat, responded Friday that Christie is “bitter and has got nowhere to go” after his failed presidential campaign. He called him a bully.

The Phillies had already responded, tweeting that they appreciate their fans’ support as they “bridge” to a bright future. That was a dig at Christie over the George Washington Bridge lane closing scandal that has dogged his administration.

Andrew McCutchen’s, center, spot in center field was the fulcrum around which the Pittsburgh Pirates swung from laughingstock to contenders. Now it belongs to Starling Marte, left, with McCutchen in right field.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Pirates-Preview-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAndrew McCutchen’s, center, spot in center field was the fulcrum around which the Pittsburgh Pirates swung from laughingstock to contenders. Now it belongs to Starling Marte, left, with McCutchen in right field. Gene J. Puskar | AP file photo

Associated Press