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Andrew McCutchen removed references to the Pirates from his social media accounts.
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a big move to start the week, adding veteran DH Marcell Ozuna on a one-year deal. Andrew McCutchen responded with a move of his own. The longtime Pirate removed references to the team from his social media profiles (hat tip to Josh Rowntree of 93.7 The Fan). The decision comes a day after McCutchen dropped a hype video on Instagram with the caption “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14.”
McCutchen began his storied career with the Pirates back in 2009. He spent his first nine seasons with the club, earning five All-Star selections, four Silver Slugger awards, and 2013 NL MVP honors. McCutchen left the team in free agency after the 2017 season. He played for the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers before returning to his original squad. McCutchen has joined the Pirates on one-year, $5 million deals in each of the past three seasons.
The sides have yet to come to an agreement this offseason, and McCutchen has already expressed his displeasure with how the situation has been handled. He fired off a passionate post on X after not being included in the Pirates fan fest.
Pittsburgh Pirates Sign DH, Potentially Close Door on Andrew McCutchen Return
Pittsburgh bringing in Ozuna appears to signal an end to McCutchen’s tenure with the team. The former Atlanta Braves mainstay has played just two games in the field over the past three years. He hasn’t appeared in a game in the outfield since 2023. Ozuna battled through persistent trade rumors last season to deliver a 114 wRC+. The 35-year-old should add a middle-of-the-order thump for a light-hitting Pirates team.
McCutchen has been similarly tied to the DH role since coming back to Pittsburgh. He’s made just 16 starts in the outfield since the beginning of 2023. McCutchen managed 61.2 innings as a defender this past season. For his part, he did grade out as a decent enough option with the glove. Statcast’s Outs Above Average had the veteran as a +1 in 2025. Defensive Runs Saved gave him a +2 for his work in the outfield.
McCutchen Leaves Behind Hall of Fame Legacy
The market over the past few seasons for McCutchen has largely been limited to make-good deals with Pittsburgh. He posted a strong 115 wRC+ as a 36-year-old in 2023, but that number ticked down to 105 the following season. McCutchen fell to a 95 wRC+ in 2025, suggesting he was 5% worse than league average. It was the worst mark of his illustrious 17-year career. McCutchen made impactful contact (42.5% hard-hit rate), but struggled to turn it into extra-base hits. His .367 SLG was 30 points lower than his previous career-worst contribution.
If this is truly the end for McCutchen, he’ll wrap up his time in the big leagues as one of the most iconic Pirates in franchise history. He ranks third all-time in home runs, behind only Willie Stargell and Ralph Kiner. McCutchen is top 10 among all Pirates in hits, runs, doubles, RBI, and walks. He’s compiled 49 WAR in his career, per Baseball Reference. That mark will put him on the cusp of Hall of Fame consideration.
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