Once a Pirate Always a Pirate: Cutch is Back

Story by Yinzer Crazy Pirates Contributor Baron Dionis

Late Friday morning, the Pirates made a move that made all fans jump out of their chairs. Andrew McCutchen has signed a one-year deal with the Pirates worth $5 million. McCutchen had two other known contract offers from the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets, but ultimately, he wanted to return to where it all started.

McCutchen played for the Pirates from 2009-2017. In that stretch he won an MVP, four silver sluggers, a gold glove, and made five all-star appearances. In 2018, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for OF Bryan Reynolds and RHP Kyle Crick. The former face of the franchise is finally making a return to Pittsburgh for his age 36 season. McCutchen brings back a lot of veteran leadership that we desperately needed this offseason. 

With 14 years under his belt, McCutchen has a lot of career milestones that he is looking to acquire this year. In a full season, Cutch should gain his 2,000th hit, 400th double, 300th home run, and his 1,000th walk. At the moment, he is at 1,948 hits, 392 doubles, 287 home runs, and 983 walks. Also an amazing fact is that he should get these milestones in front of the fans that he got to play in front of for eight seasons.

Last season, McCutchen spent his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 134 games, Cutch batted .237 with 17 home runs and 69 runs batted in. He also posted a .316 OBP, .384 SLG, .700 OPS, 42 XBH, 98 wRC+, 8 SB, and 0.3 WAR. Age has definitely impacted him at the plate in comparison to his younger days with the Bucs, but he is still a solid bat to the lineup. I expect him to have a better season in 2023 than 2022.

The Pirates will need to remove someone from the 40 man roster to make room for Andrew McCutchen. Also expect some more transactions to happen before spring training. The Pirates outfield is very full with Bryan Reynolds, Jack Suwinski, Connor Joe, Miguel Andújar, Ji Hwan Bae, Cal Mitchell, and Tucupita Marcano. Other outfielders on the 40 man include Canaan Smith-Njigba, Travis Swaggerty, and Ryan Vilade.

Welcome home Andrew!