Pittsburgh Pirates icon Andrew McCutchen is still a free agent going into the final days leading up to spring training.
McCutcheon, 39, is still looking to play this season and would like to return to the Pirates where he has played for each of the past three seasons. However, the Pirates have yet to offer him a contract. The Athletic insider Ken Rosenthal explains why that may be the case.
Advertisement
“The offseason is not yet over. The Pirates’ estimated $95 million payroll is only $8 million above last season’s final number, a total deflated by trades of David Bednar, Ke’Bryan Hayes and several veterans on one-year deals. As the team’s pursuit of Suárez demonstrated, Cherington still wants to add another hitter. If he does not, the spectre of McCutchen will hang over Don Kelly’s first spring training as manager. Not exactly the vibe the Pirates are seeking,“ Rosenthal wrote.
“Perhaps this all was unavoidable for a proud player and often bumbling franchise. But if the Pirates had been more straightforward with McCutchen, they at least would have made clear that they offered him no guarantees beyond 2025. They held internal discussions about relating those intentions to McCutchen, sources said. But they decided against taking a direct approach, perhaps out of fear of confrontation.”
Many Pirates fans, and McCutchen included, hope that he can play in black and gold this season, but the longer he is off the roster, the less likely it seems that will be the case. McCutchen shared his thoughts on the matter in a social media post last month.
“If this is my last year, it would have been nice to meet the fans one last time as a player. Talk to them about my appreciation for them over the years,” McCutchen tweeted.
Advertisement
“Shake that little kids hand or hug the fan that’s been a fan since Clemente. You see, this is bigger than baseball! Bigger than looking at a 40 man roster and cherry picking numbers that fit your agenda or prove why your opinion matters. The fans deserved at the very least to get that opportunity. Idk what the future holds for me at the present moment, but what I do know is though I am 39, on the backend of my career, I still work everyday to be better than I was the year before. If there wasnt [sic] a burning desire to continue this journey, I would be home surrounded by my family, in which no one would judge or be surprised. But not yet. There’s more work to do and Im not done, no matter what label to you try to stamp on me. Rip the jersey off of me.”
Pirates pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton for spring training on Wednesday, Feb. 11.