Andrew McCutchen might get traded, but he belongs in Pittsburgh
When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed departed legend and all-time Pirate Andrew McCutchen to a one-year deal this offseason, it was seen as a nice gesture. It was a move from the Pirates’ organizational standpoint that would put asses in seats and fill a depth role.
No one was expecting what would happen next, which is Cutch having a career revitalization in his second tour with the Pirates. When McCutchen left Pittsburgh for the Giants, he was still a productive hitter with a 115 OPS+. He then headed to the Yankees, where Cutch played well in only 25 games. When he signed a multi-year contract with the Phillies, it seemed like McCutchen began a downturn. His defense was declining, but McCutchen was still an above-average hitter despite not playing nearly as much as he was accustomed to, as he filled a bench role with Philadelphia.
McCutchen would continue to bounce around, spending three years in Philly, followed by a season with the Brewers. In 2022 with Milwaukee, McCutchen’s OPS+ dipped under the league average for the first time in his 14-season career.
Heading into the offseason, baseball fans were pleased to see Andrew McCutchen sign with the Pirates once again, the team he played nine seasons with. In his return to Pittsburgh, McCutchen brought his OPS+ back up to 129. He is also hitting leadoff every day for the Pirates again. Not to mention, the 2013 NL MVP got his 2000th career hit and 500th double in a Pirates uniform this season.
Rumors have begun to swirl, with McCutchen playing at a high level again, that he could be traded with the Pirates sitting at 36-42. It’s clear that not only Cutch and the fans want him to stay, but he also plays his best when he is on the Pirates.
“I’ve vocalized how I felt about being here and the reason why I came back. That stance hasn’t changed,” McCutchen said to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I still want to be here regardless. At the same time, that’s out of my control. I can’t control that. That’s not my call.”
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported rumors recently that McCutchen would be sent to Texas. However, Rangers general manager Chris Young made an announcement disregarding these rumors. Sometimes, reporters need to just eat their words.
“I saw there was a rumor out there today regarding an offensive player that, I mean literally, we’ve had zero contact with that team, so where that rumor came from, it really is amazing to me that those things get floated like that,” Young said on 105.3 The Fan.
Andrew McCutchen belongs in a Pirates uniform, and maybe they should trade him considering the state of their roster, but they’d be doing him a dis-service.
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