Gregory Polanco doesn't linger over his long-term future. There's too much to focus on in the present, namely kick-starting a career that's been stuck in neutral for more than two years.

The Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder is only too aware that he has struggled to live up to a $35 million, five-year contract that runs though this season, Injuries - some of them freakish - and extended slumps have turned a deal that looked like a potential bargain a half-decade ago into a bit of an albatross for a club in the midst of a top-to-bottom makeover.

The Pirates spent a portion of the offseason flipping their most established players - first baseman Josh Bell and pitcher Jameson Taillon among others - for prospects in hopes of restocking the farm system. The main reason Polanco didn't follow them out of town? Turns out there isn't much of a market for a player scheduled to make $11 million this year and who has hit just .197 with 13 homers combined over the last two seasons.