Pirates brass doubts McCutchen's outfield ability. Will the franchise icon's Pittsburgh return end without a contract due to defensive concerns?
The Pittsburgh Pirates want to add one more outfielder as general manager Ben Cherington continues to rebuild the roster after last season's last-place finish in the National League Central.
Oneil Cruz is set as the center fielder, and Bryan Reynolds will be the everyday right fielder. For now, it appears that switch-hitting Jake Mangum will platoon in left field with a right-handed hitter, either Jhostynxon Garcia or Nick Yorke.
Andrew McCutchen believes he could help add to the Pirates’ outfield depth if they re-sign him as a free agent. However, the Pirates have yet to offer the 39-year-old franchise icon a contract, and they do not feel that McCutchen can play regularly – or at all – in the outfield.
McCutchen took exception to that idea recently in a post on X.
Since rejoining the Pirates in 2023, McCutchen has played just 20 games in the outfield, primarily as a designated hitter. That would likely need to change if he returned this upcoming season.
That raises the question of whether McCutchen is realistic about returning as an outfielder. He has been a strong defender in his second Pirates stint, with three defensive runs saved.
The sample size is too small to draw conclusions from the metrics. Still, by the eye test, the Pirates see McCutchen as unplayable in the outfield.
McCutchen last saw significant outfield time in 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers, recording four DRS in 50 games—better than adequate.
However, McCutchen’s metrics were bad in his last two seasons as a full-time outfielder in 2020 and 2021 with the Philadelphia Phillies. He had minus-7 DRS in just 39 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He had minus-9 DRS in 135 games the following year.
Defense has never been McCutchen’s strong suit. Even when he won the NL Gold Glove for center fielders in 2012 in his first stint with the Pirates, McCutchen had minus-6 DRS and just three outfield assists. In 1,780 games over 17 seasons, McCutchen’s DRS count is minus-75, and he has registered just 79 assists.
The Pirates can fit McCutchen only by playing Ryan O’Hearn, usually a first baseman, in the outfield, or by moving Spencer Horwitz, normally an infielder, to the outfield while O’Hearn plays first base. However, after signing O’Hearn to a two-year, $29-million deal this month, the Pirates expect the 32-year-old to be their primary DH.
Therefore, it seems unlikely the Pirates will sign McCutchen, marking a disappointing and unceremonious conclusion to his Pittsburgh career.
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