It's a running joke between Derek Shelton and the beat reporters that questions about the lineup usually don't get you very far.
But you better believe that Andrew McCutchen will be in the Pirates' lineup for the home opener April 7.
"It was something that was important for our club, important to the city," Shelton said Friday. "I think the most important thing is he’s still a good player. The conversation I had with him, then he said it publicly -- this is not a farewell tour. This guy is still a really good player. He functions within what we needed and adding veterans into our clubhouse was something that was important to Ben [Cherington] and I this year."
McCutchen's return has been much celebrated, but when the subject was first broached to Shelton by Cherington, the first thought was how it would impact the other outfielders. The club does have a handful of young outfielders who should by vying for playing time this year, including Jack Suwinski, Cal Mitchell, Canaan Smith-Njigba, Travis Swaggerty, Ryan Vilade, Connor Joe and a handful of utility players.
However, after taking into account how it will impact the 2023 team and future teams, the decision was clear. By the end, he told Cherington, "Ben, I want this to happen. Go make it happen," the general manager shared during McCutchen's introduction with the club.
"I thought it was a move we needed to make," Shelton said. "If we could get him, let’s get him."
Shelton said McCutchen will play both left and right field as well as occasionally serve as the designated hitter. Perhaps just as important, he will be a clubhouse leader. Seeing McCutchen ask about Oneil Cruz, for example, during his interview with the team, showed Shelton he was invested in the direction the team is heading.
That is what made this the right time for a McCutchen reunion.
"I think it’s going to be a cool story for the city, but more importantly for us as a club. We’re bringing back someone who is going to add value to us, both on the field and in the clubhouse."
MORE FROM THE MANAGER
• Pitchers and catchers will report in about two and a half weeks -- Feb. 14, if you want to mark it on the calendar -- and it seems safe to say that Bryan Reynolds will not be traded before then, despite his request back in December.
Shelton reiterated that he does not see that request having a negative effect into the season.
"He continues to work," Shelton said, adding that the two had spoken Thursday. "We had a good conversation. I don’t expect it will be an issue at all. He’s had a good offseason with his work. He continues to get better. I think the separation of that with how he performs on the field, there will be no effect. Bryan Reynolds will play the way he plays."
• The Pirates had a busy offseason, one that is creating buzz about winning among the players.
Shelton was asked how having more veteran players in the clubhouse changes his job.
"I think ultimately it’s just communication, but it’s different kinds of communication," Shelton said. "Where before, with younger players, it’s a little more poignant in terms of how you talk to them. Now with veteran players, there’s gonna be more feedback of, ‘Hey, we need to do this, this and this.’ Or, ‘Have you thought about this?’ It’s communication, but it’s just a different kind of communication."
• The most competitive position group on this team may be the bullpen. There aren't many defined roles for anyone outside of David Bednar getting the ball late.
And it could be legitimate competition after adding to the group midseason (Colin Holderman, Robert Stephenson) and this offseason (Jose Hernandez, Jarlín García).
"There's a lot of options in this bullpen and probably more options than we've ever had, especially with guys in our eyes that have pitched in the big leagues previously, so that gives us competition within our group," Shelton said.
• Some injury updates to go through: Cruz suffered a minor ankle injury during winter ball, but all seems fine there now. Same goes for Ke'Bryan Hayes and his back/hip injury from last year. Smith-Njigba's left wrist, which limited him to three major-league games last year, was fully healed in December.
Shelton also said some players have received invitations to the World Baseball Classic, but they were going to decline to say who until they know for sure. According to a source, Bednar will pitch for the United States' team, and Duane Underwood Jr. will pitch for team Puerto Rico.
