A Pittsburgh Pirates icon seeks another season. Will ownership back his plea or the GM's roster vision?
Andrew McCutchen’s situation has reached the ownership level, which means it should be coming to a head soon.
The Pittsburgh Pirates franchise icon wants to play another season and feels he can be a contributor despite being 39 years old. McCutchen is no longer the player who was selected to five straight All-Star Games from 2011-15 – and none since -- but is still a solid role player who hit .239/.333/.367 with 13 home runs in 135 games last season.
However, there is a divide between the sides’ views of McCutchen’s defensive ability. McCutchen believes he can still play the outfield. Pittsburgh general manager Ben Cherington believed McCutchen should be strictly used as a designated hitter.
Yet it seems Ryan O’Hearn will be the Pirates’ primary DH this upcoming season. While O’Hearn can play first base and the corner outfield position, the Pirates gave O’Hearn a two-year, $29-million contract in free agency for his offense. They hope he can aid a lineup that was last in the major leagues in runs scored and home runs last season.
Because of O’Hearn’s presence, there doesn’t seem to be room on the Pittsburgh's roster for McCutchen. With teams having a 13-man pitching staff, they demand versatility from their bench players. The Pirates don’t even believe McCutchen can play in the field.
McCutchen has expressed his frustration in social media posts over the last two weeks. Cherington has been diplomatic when discussing McCutchen, saying the Pirates want to maintain a strong long-term relationship with him.
Yet McCutchen is frustrated enough that he went directly to owner Bob Nutting late last week and had a face-to-face meeting with him. It’s reminiscent of 2023 when McCutchen phoned Nutting and wound up coming back to Pittsburgh as a free agent five years after he was traded to the San Francisco Giants.
Nutting facilitated the first of three straight one-year, $5-million contracts for McCutchen. Now, McCutchen is banking on Nutting coming through for him again.
That puts Nutting in a tough spot. Does Nutting back Cherington, who believes the Pirates can build a stronger roster without McCutchen. Or does Nutting bring back McCutchen, risking not angering the fans and causing an unceremonious end to his second stint with Pittsburgh?
It’s a tough decision, but one that should come soon.
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