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.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners enter this upcoming offseason with a few needs at major positions. First base is a question mark as is center field. Although they do currently have a few options for both on the roster, they may want to go with a bigger name.
McCutchen would be a wonderful addition to the Mariners. His right-handed stick matches perfectly with the Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager trio. McCutchen could conceivably hit in front of Cano or behind Seager to help break up the possibility of too many lefties in a row.
Far more important to the Mariners’ hopes at ending the playoff drought, McCutchen is a terrific ball player and former MVP. He’s not at all what he used to be, but should continue to put together a few more productive years.
Since McCutchen is now in the last year of his contract, one can expect the Pirates to lower the asking price by just a hair. It’s unlikely they keep him beyond 2018. So, rather than only gain a supplemental draft pick, they would benefit from dealing him away and bringing in a couple of young players.
Something major needs to change in Seattle. Felix Hernandez’s career has been a waste and all of these productive seasons from the core have led to nothing. McCutchen won’t guarantee a playoff spot, but his presence surely increases the odds.
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have a big decision facing them for the 2018 season. Do they begin a rebuild or simply retool?
Most likely, it’s the latter. One of those steps would involve adding an outfielder to replace 2017 center fielder Carlos Gomez. Is McCutchen the man for the job?
The Rangers may always move Delino DeShields from left field into center field, which is perfectly fine. McCutchen belongs in the corner outfield at this stage of his career. So, there is a match in more places than one.
A right-handed bat with power is also a need for the Rangers. Mike Napoli is unlikely to return and there’s no telling how well Adrian Beltre will hold up through the season. This leaves them with a lot of left-handed hitters and some very unbalanced lineups. In the interim, McCutchen solves this problem.
The biggest hurdle for the Rangers is they don’t have the amazing farm system they did a few years ago. Prying McCutchen away from the Pirates isn’t easy. Considering he may have even more suitors at next year’s trade deadline, the Pirates have every reason to hold onto him until someone blows them away. At this stage, the Rangers may have some difficulty doing so.
Washington Nationals
Whatever the Washington Nationals do this offseason, they will need to think ahead beyond 2018. It’s after next season when they will probably lose Bryce Harper. So, to get a head start, they may want to explore a few different options. Although McCutchen is also a free agent after 2018, adding him is a move to go “all in” next year.
The Nationals have quite a few outfield options next year. Their biggest need is to replace Jayson Werth who will either leave in free agency or retire. Players like Michael Taylor, Brian Goodwin, and maybe even Victor Robles could fill the void. Assuming Adam Eaton returns healthy, the Nationals’ outfield is pretty much set.
But is this the best trio of outfielders they could put on the field? Harper, Eaton, and one of the other names mentioned are certainly good. One thing to remember is that all of those players missed significant time in 2017. Therefore, outfield depth should be a goal for Washington.
This wouldn’t be the first time the Nationals pursue McCutchen. He was a major target of theirs in the summer of 2016 and again in the early offseason before acquiring Eaton. Due to Pittsburgh’s high asking price for a guy coming off a down year, the Nationals looked elsewhere.
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