Word Salad: Pittsburgh Pirates FANS React, Ben Cherington DODGES Andrew McCutchen Contract Drama

Pittsburgh Pirates face a crossroads as Andrew McCutchen’s future remains unresolved—will the beloved outfielder get his legendary send-off or is an awkward ending inevitable? With GM Ben Cherington’s guarded statements at Pirates Fest sparking audible groans, the tension between honoring franchise icons and the realities of roster construction intensifies.

Gary Morgan spotlights McCutchen’s impassioned social media response to critics and explores how MLB’s collective bargaining agreement keeps front office talks vague and unsatisfying. Is the Pirates’ offseason strategy sacrificing fan sentiment for marginal gains? Key discussions center on McCutchen’s legacy, Don Kelly’s growing influence in shaping the lineup, ownership’s playoff-or-bust mentality, and the shifting vibes at Pirates Fest. Tune in for insider perspective on the only good ending for a Pittsburgh sports legend and whether the Pirates can balance winning with loyalty as the season looms.

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Pirates News, Pittsburgh Pirates, Andrew McCutchen, Ben Cherington, Pirates Fest, MLB rumors, Pirates updates, Paul Skenes, Pirates offseason, Pirates roster, MLB news, Andrew McCutchen contract, Pittsburgh baseball, Pirates fan reactions, Bob Nutting, Travis Williams, Don Kelly, PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates rumors, Pirates podcast

13 comments

  1. Cutch should be offered a roster spot as long as he wants it 😀 Him a player coach contract at 5m this year and perpetual options, with a bonus that goes up to 3m if he breaks spring on the MLB roster other wise as a high rate coaches salary.

    Cutch lives in Pittsburgh, if he wants to meet the fans he just has to walk out side, just saying.

  3. Gary, what this tell me is that the Bucs are still in the running for Suarez (1st priority) and a starting pitcher (2nd priority). Both positions are going to take up a lot of money and it makes sense to me that a gm is going to want to know how much is left over before considering Cutch's contract. If all this is true, I'm happy that we're still in the running for Suarez.

  5. If Ben is really giving Kelly the vote to approve, does this mean how this team approaches at bats, for lack of better term, hitting philosophy, is changing, could be changing?

  6. Is it possible BC is thinking about the 26 man roster right now and whether Cutch actually fits onto the bench as it stands right now? What would be more embarrassing, not signing Cutch when you're still building your roster or having to cut him at the end of ST because he doesn't fit into the team construction?

    My understanding of our bench right now is Henry Davis, Endy Rodriguez (who says he's healthy and ready to go), Suwinski, and Yorke. This is with no changes made at 3B or SS (including not bringing Griffin up). Now, maybe they keep Endy at AAA because I believe he has an option left–honestly not sure about that. Or maybe he's not as healthy as he thinks and they put on the IL, though I doubt it would be the 60-day. Either way, if improve 3B or SS via free agency (rather than trade someone like Bart and other pieces) than either Suwinski or Yorke comes off the 26-man roster. Then, say Griffin does break out in ST and the Pirates have no choice but to add him to the 26-man and they have to get rid of the other Suwinski or Yorke. Our bench then looks like Davis, Endy, Triolo, and Gonzalez. Now, instead, have Cutch on that bench right now with Davis, Endy, and Suwinski/Yorke. How do we sign a 3B in that world? How do we legitimately give Griffin a shot to make the roster? In that world, signing Cutch essentially guarantees either we don't sign a 3B (but need to get it through trade that removes someone from our 26-man roster), Griffin doesn't have a chance to be our opening day SS, or we send someone like Gonzalez down to the minors (or Endy) to start the year. Maybe that's what's needed but it is absolutely not as easy a decision as people seem to be making it.

  7. Pirates top two priorities right now is 3rd base and a veteran starting pitcher which Cutch fills neither. If we haven't done anything this offseason Cutch coming back is a no brainer. His role on this team now as it stands will signifcantly be less than it has. He might get in the lineup a couple times a week. If he can accept that then yeah bring him back for his final year.

  9. Cutch signed a series of 1-yr contracts. Did he think that guaranteed a 2026 contract? Did he proactively approach the team towards the end of the 2025 season with the question: "Can you sign me to an extension for 2026 right now? If you don't think you're going to sign me for 2026, can we discuss giving me an opportunity to say goodbye to the fans before end of 2025?" Did the team assure Cutch that they would sign him again? (Doubtful, IMO, but only insiders know). Just because Cutch's expectations aren't (weren't?) met doesn't make the team the bad guy here. Cutch should have prepared for this inevitability.

  10. Replacing the Clemente sign was a business decision, Bucco bricks a business decision, taking over the family business and firing your father might be a business decision, but that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. Sometimes doing the right thing isn't the most pragmatic, it's just right. Let Cutch have aproper sendoff, because he cares more about this city and this team than all the father-firers out there.

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