Pittsburgh Pirates: Possible Andrew McCutchen Trade Destinations

Is the winter of 2017-2018 the time window when the Pittsburgh Pirates trade Andrew McCutchen? If so, he could end up with any of these three teams.

Andrew McCutchen trade rumors have swirled over the last two seasons. Knowing they cannot afford him long-term, the Pittsburgh Pirates are in a bind. Do they deal the 2013 National League MVP before he leaves in free agency or make one last run with him in their outfield?

After limping through 2016, McCutchen came back with vengeance in 2017. Although the end result wasn’t on-par with his best years from 2012-2015, he earned back a lot of respect.

In 2018, McCutchen’s contract pays him $14.75. It’s a total the Pirates can eat for the full season if it means they have a chance to compete. However, if the Pirates believe they are better off dealing him in the winter, the savings could go a long way toward extending other young players whom they hope to keep around for their next postseason run.

The Pirates are a team to watch closely this winter. Their fringe franchise status, as a squad teetering on the edge of the postseason, makes them a potential huge seller or mystery buyer. Just because they trade McCutchen doesn’t mean they are planning to rebuild either. This could just be a financial decision to add a long-term option rather than stick with someone they know will head elsewhere at the end of the season.

Wherever he goes, McCutchen will surely get shopped this winter. The Pirates better be ready to field phone calls from plenty of teams, including these three.