It was practically inevitable, but now it’s official. AndrewMcCutchen is staying with the Pirates on a one-year deal worth $5 million, per source. That's the same base contract he's had the last two years.
During the Pirates’ series in Cleveland back in August, Dejan Kovacevic reported that McCutchen, 38, expressed interest in returning to Pittsburgh for another year. The Pirates shared that same interest.
"I'm happy to be around some guys and some of the same guys that I played with and for us to try to do this thing again together," McCutchen said Monday. "I like this group of guys. A big group of guys that are different personalities and great guys. I just like the vibe of the team."
McCutchen, who will likely return to his regular role as the team’s designated hitter, battled injuries throughout the 2024 season. Yet he still proved he can hang at the major-league level by finishing with a .232/.328/.411 slash line, over 100 hits, 66 runs scored and a team-high 58 walks in 120 games. McCutchen also ranked third on the team with 20 home runs to become the 13th player in MLB history to hit at least 10 homers in each of his first 16 seasons. He’s the only active player with double-digit home runs every season since 2009 and has now produced eight career 20-home run seasons, a mark that broke a tie with RalphKiner for the second-most in team history behind Willie Stargell (15).
In 11 seasons with the Pirates, McCutchen has hit .284 with 329 doubles, 45 triples, 235 home runs, 818 RBIs, 185 stolen bases, 935 runs scored, a .375 on-base percentage, .475 slugging percentage and .851 OPS through 1578 games. He's set multiple career milestones and enters the 2025 season ranked fourth in Pirates history in home runs, fifth in extra base hits (609) and walks, sixth in RBIs, ninth in games played, 10th in hits, stolen bases and at-bats, and 11th in runs scored.
As he enters his 17th major-league season, McCutchen admits he has to prepare a little differently nowadays. He's no longer roaming out in the outfield and playing 150-plus games per season, so it's a little more challenging finding ways to keep his legs in shape on a daily basis. Still, he knows there's gas left in the tank.
"I still do get excited to see the guys, to prepare for the season and get ready. Ultimately, I think the biggest thing for me is knowing I can still compete and can still be able to produce, and I still feel like there's a way that I can be better and I know that it's still in there," McCutchen said. "You're always searching for it. You always feel like it's there. I feel like once that gets lost, once I lose that and go 'that's it, I think I'm good,' that's when you're good. I'm getting close to that, but I'm not there yet."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
THE ASYLUM
José Negron
3:14 pm - 12.23.2024Cranberry, Pa.McCutchen staying with Pirates on one-year deal
It was practically inevitable, but now it’s official. Andrew McCutchen is staying with the Pirates on a one-year deal worth $5 million, per source. That's the same base contract he's had the last two years.
During the Pirates’ series in Cleveland back in August, Dejan Kovacevic reported that McCutchen, 38, expressed interest in returning to Pittsburgh for another year. The Pirates shared that same interest.
"I'm happy to be around some guys and some of the same guys that I played with and for us to try to do this thing again together," McCutchen said Monday. "I like this group of guys. A big group of guys that are different personalities and great guys. I just like the vibe of the team."
McCutchen, who will likely return to his regular role as the team’s designated hitter, battled injuries throughout the 2024 season. Yet he still proved he can hang at the major-league level by finishing with a .232/.328/.411 slash line, over 100 hits, 66 runs scored and a team-high 58 walks in 120 games. McCutchen also ranked third on the team with 20 home runs to become the 13th player in MLB history to hit at least 10 homers in each of his first 16 seasons. He’s the only active player with double-digit home runs every season since 2009 and has now produced eight career 20-home run seasons, a mark that broke a tie with Ralph Kiner for the second-most in team history behind Willie Stargell (15).
In 11 seasons with the Pirates, McCutchen has hit .284 with 329 doubles, 45 triples, 235 home runs, 818 RBIs, 185 stolen bases, 935 runs scored, a .375 on-base percentage, .475 slugging percentage and .851 OPS through 1578 games. He's set multiple career milestones and enters the 2025 season ranked fourth in Pirates history in home runs, fifth in extra base hits (609) and walks, sixth in RBIs, ninth in games played, 10th in hits, stolen bases and at-bats, and 11th in runs scored.
As he enters his 17th major-league season, McCutchen admits he has to prepare a little differently nowadays. He's no longer roaming out in the outfield and playing 150-plus games per season, so it's a little more challenging finding ways to keep his legs in shape on a daily basis. Still, he knows there's gas left in the tank.
"I still do get excited to see the guys, to prepare for the season and get ready. Ultimately, I think the biggest thing for me is knowing I can still compete and can still be able to produce, and I still feel like there's a way that I can be better and I know that it's still in there," McCutchen said. "You're always searching for it. You always feel like it's there. I feel like once that gets lost, once I lose that and go 'that's it, I think I'm good,' that's when you're good. I'm getting close to that, but I'm not there yet."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
We’d love to have you!