Pittsburgh Pirates rumors: Andrew McCutchen heading to San Francisco?
Pittsburgh Pirates rumors surface that outfielder Andrew McCutchen could be on his way to the San Francisco Giants in 2018.
Pittsburgh Pirates rumors have surfaced that the face of their franchise, Andrew McCutchen, could be leaving town Dexter Freebish style, before the end of the 2018 campaign.
One team has emerged as a clear front-runner, one that also has their eyes set on Giancarlo Stanton.
Source: #SFGiants have remained in contact with #Pirates on Andrew McCutchen, who is among options they could pursue if they do not acquire Giancarlo Stanton from #Marlins. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 29, 2017
The San Francisco Giants are looking to make a splash during the offseason, hoping that carries over into the 2018 season. It is doubtful that they will land both Giancarlo Stanton and Andrew McCutchen.
The most likely scenario is the later, with McCutchen’s cost just a tad bit lighter on the wallet than Stanton would be.
- 2018: $25 million
- 2019: $26 million
- 2020: $26 million
- 2021: $29 million
- 2022: $29 million
- 2023: $32 million
- 2024: $32 million
- 2025: $32 million
- 2026: $29 million
- 2027: $25 million
- 2028: $25 million team option, $10 million buyout
Andrew McCutchen’s contract is *a little* less expensive than Giancarlo Stanton’s: McCutchen is signed for one more season at $14.5 million. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 29, 2017
With one year left on his contract, the Pittsburgh Pirates might finally pull the trigger on the former NL MVP, who’s been rumored to leave the Steel City the past few seasons.
It’s amazing the difference just a few years can make when Andrew McCutchen won the 2013 NL MVP and the Pittsburgh Pirates were the up and coming young guns of MLB.
Now, they seem to be rebuilding, which is a sad sight to see. For one reason or another, the Pirates seemed to be just one step behind the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, or lately, the Chicago Cubs during that exciting three year run of 2013-2015.
Even though McCutchen had a “down” 2016 and 2017 compared to his elite standards of yesteryear, he was still very productive in 2017, coming on strong during the second half of the season.
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Andrew McCutchen career statistics:
- 5-time National League All-Star (2011–2015)
- National League Most Valuable Player (2013)
- 4-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2012-2015)
- Gold Glove Award (2012)
- Roberto Clemente Award (2015)
- Led the Pirates to the playoffs from 2013-2015
- Career batting average: .291
- Hits: 1,463
- Home runs: 203
- Runs RBI: 725
- Stolen bases: 171
If these Pittsburgh Pirates rumors are true, this could be the end of a winning era for them, which we are unlikely to see anytime soon, with the NL Central loaded with talent across the board.
Next: Tony Gwynn: The legend and legacy of San Diego’s Mr. Padre
Wherever Andrew McCutchen ends up, his presence and a change of scenario could inspire him back into MVP form in 2018 and beyond.