The Pittsburgh Pirates and veteran Andrew McCutchen have agreed to terms for one more season, bringing back one of the most beloved players in organisation history. This was announced on Tuesday. McCutchen will receive $5 million, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Jason Mackey, and will have another chance to play for the team that has given him the most success.
Beginning his career with the Pirates, McCutchen developed into one of the league’s best players, taking home the NL MVP award in 2013. He also placed in the top five in voting in 2012, 2014, and 2015. His entrance ended the Pirates franchise’s 20-year streak of consecutive losing seasons and helped start a brief comeback for the team. The squad made its first postseason participation since 1992 with their 2013 trip to the NLDS.
During the 2018 season, he was dealt to San Francisco in exchange for Bryan Reynolds, an All-Star centerfielder, who was moved to Pittsburgh. McCutchen has also played for the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers in addition to the Giants.
Before suffering a season-ending injury in early September, the 37-year-old was having one of his greatest offensive performances in years when he returned to Pittsburgh in 2023.
Given how well-liked he is still, Pirates supporters should be happy to have him back in Pittsburgh.
It will also be another accomplishment for him in his career. McCutchen hit his 2,000th career hit in the previous season and will go into the 2024 campaign just one home run away from reaching 300.
