It’s not like this is something that hasn’t happened before, look in Texas the last few years. Josh Hamilton has more than enough athletic ability and definitely enough arm to play center. However, playing that position has more intrinsic danger to it simply because there are more responsibilities directly associated with even the idea of it. Personally I’d just rather have our best hitter focusing on the bat and relearning how to steal bases, while still providing above average defense in a position patrolled primarily by offensive oriented players.

Either way, we want our best fielding OF in CF. I could buy that it’s Marte.

Marte had a worse intro to the majors at an older age than Tabata a few years ago. I didn’t see enough to prove Marte is one of the best three OF’s at this point in time. Heck, you could end up with Snider and Jones at the corners at some point in the season. So I’m not moving McCutchen until I have at least a full season where Marte proves he belongs and isn’t going to end up back in AAA.