The Chicago Cubs made one of the biggest moves in all Major League Baseball in free agency. Their signing of third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year $175 million added both a solid glove and bat to their lineup. A former World Series MVP, he also bring a wealth of postseason experience to a Chicago team with championship aspirations themselves.
However, a 162-game season presents several challenges, particularly when it comes to the health of players. In this light, one MLB analyst cannot believe the Cubs did not do more to add to their depth by signing former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen.
MLB analyst calls out the Chicago Cubs for not signing Andrew McCutchen
May 11, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (22) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
McCutchen, who won the NL MVP Award in 2013 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, saw his time with his long-time team come to an unceremonious end this off-season. The Pirates did not contact him about coming back for one more season, nor did they invite him as a living legend to their fan event this winter.
This slight, obviously, is sore subject for the five-time All-Star who called Pittsburgh out on social media.
Still a free agent, McCutchen is free to sign with any team. And Bradford Doolittle of ESPN cannot understand why the Cubs did not give him a call:
“OK, no one said the Cubs were *supposed* to get Andrew McCutchen, and even if they had, it would have been well down the list of Chicago’s to-do items for this winter. So, this is more of a helpful suggestion than a question, one that springs to mind when looking at how Chicago’s roster has taken shape over the winter. The Cubs are pretty loaded, but one need is one more quality righty bench bat to serve as a low-usage platoon option to go with Moises Ballesteros in the DH slot.
“McCutchen, now that it appears he isn’t headed back to Pittsburgh, seems like an ideal fit for such a role, on and off the field — if he’s willing to finish his career outside of Pittsburgh. World Series contenders have often had aging former stars filling out their benches, and McCutchen is just sitting there waiting to be that savvy vet for somebody.
“The durability of Pete Crow-Armstrong means the Cubs don’t have to be worried about a reserve outfielder spending much time in center field, so the positional concerns are minimal. This is far from a glaring need. Consider it more of a finishing stroke for a mostly complete roster.”
McCutchen is far from the perennial All-Star that he was from 2011-2015, a run that saw him win several Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves on top of his MVP. However, he is coming off of a season in which he hit .239/.333/.367 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI.
That kind of production, obviously, would not have landed him a starting job in Chicago, but would be excellent in a reserve outfielder/designated hitter.
Additionally, McCutchen played under Craig Counsell in 2022 when both were with the Milwaukee Brewers.
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