Cherington on Reynolds' status: 'We love Bryan'

It made a lot of sense on paper for the Pirates to bring back Andrew McCutchen. And it turns out, this is something Ben Cherington had in mind much earlier in the offseason.

Now that the dream for all parties involved has become reality, where exactly does McCutchen fit on the 2023 roster?

McCutchen isn't the MVP-caliber player he was a decade ago. Fortunately, the Pirates don't need him to be and aren't relying on him for that type of production. All hope of returning to contention for the first time since 2015 hinges on the young core the club's been building since Cherington was hired.

At this point, McCutchen will be relied on to DH quite a bit. But, when Cherington addressed reporters after McCutchen's press conference Friday afternoon at PNC Park, he was very clear Derek Shelton won't be afraid to use him in the outfield.

"Based on our stuff, he was a positive defender in left field last year in Milwaukee," Cherington said. "The sprint speed is still there. I think we’ll try to be mindful of managing the volume, with him and everyone else, too. We had a chance to talk about it. Andrew and I talked about it. ... We feel very comfortable and confident of putting him out there in the outfield."

McCutchen played in 134 games with the Brewers in 2022 and was the starting DH in 82 of them. He started 49 others in the outfield, and 31 of those were in left field. At age 35, McCutchen still ranked in the 90th percentile in sprint speed, so Cherington wasn't wrong about that. McCutchen had zero Outs Above Average, but that came after having nothing but negatives in every one of his prior seasons since MLB started recording the stat. He also had five Defensive Runs Saved (all in left field), which tied his career high from 2019 in Philadelphia.

Gathering from all that's been said thus far, McCutchen will be utilized similarly to what Milwaukee did with him last season. And while McCutchen isn't quite the hitter he used to be, he can still hit the fastball and ranked in the 92nd percentile in chase rate last season. That'll work for a player that's used in a platoon role, of sorts.

And, that bodes well for the outfielders on the roster such as Jack Suwinski, Connor Joe, Tucupita Marcano, Travis Swaggerty and Cal Mitchell that will be fighting for a spot during spring training.

"Part of getting better and winning here is making sure we’ve got some runway for young players," Cherington said. "If they do earn it and prove they can help us win a game and compete, you’ve got to have some runway cleared for that. That’s why it’s nice to have the flexibility and you can do some things."

Of course, McCutchen was brought in to do more than just play. The 2022 squad really lacked quality veteran leadership with Jose Quintana being the only major exception. The 2023 team already has a boost with the additions of Carlos Santana, Austin Hedges and Rich Hill, and McCutchen adds his own dynamic to the group of veterans that can help lead the younger players.

"It's important to us that any player in that clubhouse, but certainly including young players, when they walk in there's an expectation that we're gonna prepare the right way, play the right way and expect to win," Cherington said. "We feel we've added some guys this offseason that have learned how to do that and (have) done it consistently. Certainly, including Andrew, but others too."

But, none can compare to what McCutchen brings to this clubhouse, and it's hardly because of the dances in the dugout or Eddie Murphy impressions. McCutchen knows what it takes to win in Pittsburgh. He can bring an experience that very few active players in Major League Baseball can claim anymore. And, he was the central figure of the teams that last had success in this city.

The Pirates aren't heading into 2023 as expected contenders, but his inclusion alongside the core that's on its way could make it easier for this team to succeed.

"Andrew used the word 'believe,' and that's such a good and important word in where we are, because belief comes through the reps, the experience, the seeing someone else do it, and maybe hearing from someone say, 'Hey, you can do this too,’" Cherington said. "Good teams believe in themselves."

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• Cherington addressed a number of things with reporters after Friday's press conference, including the attention to detail and respect given for how this reunion came to be. Turns out, this may not only be a one-year deal, even though McCutchen officially signed a one-year contract.

Cherington said they never talked about a multi-year contract, but Cherington sounds like he's already prepared for the possibility that McCutchen could be a Pirate beyond 2023.

"I believe him. I do think he’ll keep playing," Cherington said. "One of the things you see when you dig into it is he’s maintained high-end sprint speed, he’s maintained high-end bat speed, swing decisions. I know he talked about DHing, and he’ll do that some but he’ll also play the outfield, too. He’s going to help this team. I believe he’s going to help the team on the field, first and foremost. The way he takes care of himself, I don’t see any reason why he won’t keep playing past this year."

• Of course, there will be skeptics who think that McCutchen is already on the trading block for the July deadline. And, to be fair, there is precedent for signing veteran players to one-year deals with the intention to flip them at the trade deadline if and when the Pirates are out of contention.

And while Cherington didn't completely dismiss the idea that McCutchen could be added to that list, it sure sounded like he may not necessarily get the same treatment as, say, Daniel Vogelbach.

"I think between now and July we’re going to focus on winning and competing and getting better. That’s our focus," Cherington said. "When we get to the middle of the season, we can have conversations with players. Everyone is always different. That’s always going to be case by case. We’ll cross that bridge. Right now, let’s get to spring training and getting ready for the season. Our aim is playing great baseball. I hope we’re in a position where we’re doing that in the middle of the season."

• Any meeting with Cherington right now will produce questions about Bryan Reynolds' status with the club, and those questions will continue until he is either traded, signs an extension or shows up in Bradenton for spring training. Cherington remains steadfast that Reynolds is central to the club's plans, but didn't go any further into potential contract extension talks or anything of that nature.

"Nothing’s changed from what I’ve said before," Cherington said. "We love Bryan. He’s an important part of what we’re doing. We’re looking forward to getting to spring training. He’s a big part of that."

• McCutchen and Cherington were the only two at the podium for Friday's press conference. No, Bob Nutting did not make an appearance. However, he was at PNC Park when McCutchen arrived Friday to formally give him his No. 22 uniform, which no player has worn since McCutchen was traded after the 2017 season.

• With spring training rapidly approaching, there isn't too much left on the market to make any more significant upgrades. I asked Cherington if he thinks he has his roster set for 2023, and outside of a few non-roster additions, that sure seems to be the case.

"We’d still like to add, maybe more likely non-roster at this point," Cherington said. "It’s just looking to add some depth in different areas. We are engaged with some players on non-roster deals. We’ll see if we can still do some things there between now and ... You never say never but if we add more it may be at the non-roster level."