The Andrew McCutchen debate: Should the Pirates bring him back?

24 comments

1. Jason, thanks for your matter of fact take on the Cutch case. Hysterical, knee jerk reactions are particularly tired of late.

2. Cutch’s comments were all ego, all about Cutch…nothing about the team. I think he’s overvaluing how fans see him now. His return is not bigger than the team and winning.

3. BC was given X amount of $ to make the playoffs. It’s his job to make that happen. If Nutting wants Cutch and is willing to cough up the eectra money…and theres a roster spot…all good.

4. Naughty question. Really good points, guys. Enjoyed it!

5. I’m just glad the brought back jack suwinski and paid him 1.5 mil. So worth it.

6. The owner said he would be here as long as he wanted to be….the conversation is over. I'm not even sure if it's absolutely the best move but that was said and he wants to come back.

7. We have Jack Suwinski on the team. He's SUCKS, Cutch is better than 50% of this team. This team as of right now are NOT a playoff bound team. I see no better than 3rd. Figures this team could screw up a wet dream.

8. Pirates front office and owner have botched the optics AGAIN! How obtuse can Nutting and Cherington to not realize that they should have been ready with an answer on the McCutchen question at Pirate Fest that they had in fact talked to Andrew McCutchen.

9. Colon so it matters now after 6 lousy years. He is Pittsburgh, your a loser. Jason's on point, you just outright suck

10. Listen, Cutch is great… no doubt. But as a lifelong fan, I am okay with us not bringing him back. For me, fairly or not, he represents mediocrity. We won like one WC game, doesn't make him a "winner"… put the best team on the field. If he ends up being a nice bench piece, great. Otherwise, take a bigger swing.

11. If he's willing to be a 3x a week starter in the OF instead of a 7x a week starter at DH, then i dont really see the issue.

    All about if the team and cutch see that as a reasonable role and compromise. my opinion doesnt matter.

12. Cutch is like most millionaire MLB players, who have been successful. He ain't goin down without a fight. His play was once important, but that was years ago. The choices remaining for the upgrades at 3rd and a lefty pitcher remain in the future. His ego needs to get out of the way of his posting crap on X.

13. These people always bringing up Suwinski instead of McCutcheon is silly because the Pirates are going to bring in more hitters and Suwinski will be triple AAA depth he’s not taking McCutcheon spot.

14. Bring back Cutch 100%. Also get Manny from the grill and give him a permanent seat in the dugout. He’s the ONLY one in that park that knows how to win a World Series. Cut Ben…the 6 year loser, going on seven.

15. Andrew McCutcheon is a smart man but apparently when it comes to reading the tea leaves on the Pirates roster he is acting like he’s clueless. They are looking to upgrade and that $5 million would be better spent putting it towards bringing in a hitter who could knock out 25 home runs.

16. i dont think it's accurate to say that Cutch reacted to Cherington. Cutch's tweet was in response to a radio guy saying it was time to move on from Cutch (in response to Colin quoting Cherington). There's a big difference there. Rowntree was saying it was time to move on, and Cutch responded to that. It seems like you guys are missing the fact that Cutch's response was to Rowntree's criticisms. He was telling Rowntree that Rowntree doesnt get to decide for him.

17. They already have a guy in O'Hearn for DH. Cutch can come back in a lesser role and less money

18. Thinking about how Cutch couldve bought a ticket to piratefest if saying hi to fans was really that important to him

    its "bigger than baseball." not gonna just show up though.

19. Not having Cutch may help short term for 2026 , but it will really further sinken national perspective towards the Pirates. Free agency signings may be even more difficult. Sure Cutch should not have gone to social media but players around league take notice.

20. I wish I had Cutch's confidence. Bottom line is the Pirates are not good enough to overcome a below average DH. They need more production from that spot and apparently Cutch can't play anywhere else. Time to wish him well and move on.

21. Do you bring back any former Pirate that was great?

22. I was all for bringing him back until he took to social media complaining. Thats very unprofessional.

23. Bring back Starling Marte

24. Colin makes a great point–Cutch hasn't said this is his last season. Do we bring him on for his age 42 season in 2029? Do we ask that he retire at the end of the season if we resign him?

    Communication has been poor on both ends.