San Francisco Giants: Where Will Andrew McCutchen Play in 2019?
By Tim Boyle
Andrew McCutchen is one of the newest members of the San Francisco Giants. Will his tenure in San Francisco last beyond 2018?
The San Francisco Giants are going for it. After finishing tied for the worst record in 2017, they are determined to earn back our respect. It began with a trade for Evan Longoria and most recently included a deal to acquire Andrew McCutchen.
While Longoria has a few years left on his contract, McCutchen is a free agent after 2018. Set to make $14.5 million this upcoming campaign, McCutchen is a player with a long and impressive resume who should get a pretty good payday next winter. Due to this, the Giants may not have the financial means to retain him.
The Giants aren’t afraid to spend money, but they do have their limits. With several players already locked into deals well over the $10 million mark, the Giants will easily enter the 2019 season with one of the league’s highest payrolls. Buster Posey, Johnny Cueto, and Jeff Samardzija alone will cost them about $60 million.
Hope for the San Francisco Giants
If keeping McCutchen is a priority, there is some noticeable flexibility. Hunter Pence is also in the final year of his contract. At $18.5 million in 2018, the Giants seem able to shift those finances over to McCutchen.
An $18.5 million annual average is a good guess as to what McCutchen may earn. He’s apparently on the decline. Based on this current offseason’s struggles for free agents, it’s hard to imagine him topping $20 million. At the absolute most I see him earning per year what Pence will take home in 2018.