Andrew McCutchen reiterates that he’s interested in sticking with the Pirates, ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports. “[E]veryone knows I want to be here,” McCutchen says. “So that’s nothing new to anyone.” McCutchen has repeatedly maintained his interest in staying in Pittsburgh beyond the expiration of his contract following the 2018 season (or the 2017 season, in the unlikely event that the Bucs don’t exercise his 2018 option), and he’s also said he doesn’t define himself in terms of how much money he makes. According to Stark, though, McCutchen was cautious when asked whether he would take a hometown discount to stay with the Bucs. “I still stick with the [idea that] money doesn’t define me because it doesn’t,” he says. “But it’s not altered like that in this game. No one plays for free. People rarely ever work for free. But you know, whenever that time comes, that time comes. But I’m trying not to think about it too much.” The question, from the Pirates’ perspective, is whether there’s a way to extend McCutchen that makes sense within their budget. They already control him through his age-31 season, and they might not want to pay what the market would consider a fair salary for a player of McCutchen’s talent — surely over $20MM a year — for what could turn out to be decline years in his thirties. Here’s more on the Bucs.
- Backup catcher Chris Stewart is happy to have received a multi-year deal this winter, MLB.com’s Adam Berry writes. Stewart’s deal was modest — he’ll get just $2.75MM total for 2016 and 2017, along with a $250K buyout on a cheap option in 2018. But it gives him more of a sense of stability than he’s previously had in his career. “Knowing that I’ll be here for more than a year — hopefully three or more, that’s the goal — that’s something I’m not used to,” he says. Stewart is slated to back up Francisco Cervelli in 2016, and then could back up Elias Diaz, a prospect with a good defensive reputation, in 2017 if Cervelli isn’t extended.
- Top pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow appears likely to make an impact sometime in the coming season, but the Pirates also considered promoting him during the 2015 campaign, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. “We had legitimate discussions about (calling up) Tyler last year,” says Pirates GM Neal Huntington. “Ultimately, we felt it was in his and our best interest to continue the development and command of the fastball, the consistency of his breaking ball, the ability to throw it for a strike and for a chase, and to develop the changeup (in Triple-A).” He now seems likely to have to wait to be promoted until June, after the passing of the Super Two threshold. That’s what the Bucs did with Gerrit Cole three years ago, and Cole says it had no ill effects on him. “It’s actually better; you kind of light a fire under somebody,” Cole says “And he gets an opportunity to fine-tune his routine.”
McCutchen is a no brainer really. If he decides he wants to go for the gusto, more power to him. He has more than earned that right. If he decides all da money is not worth that much to him and being in Pittsburgh with his soon to be wife is what is worth it to him, he will instruct his agent to make it happen. The Pirates should be in a no lose situation unless they are beset with several injuries to OF prospects. They will have Austin Meadows, Willy Garcia, and Harold Ramerez all ready to go if Andrew decides he his going for his last big contract. The Pirates will finally be where I have been hoping they would be. Where the Cards have been. Developing several prospects to step in for older Vets that can be traded for a kings ransom. All is good for the Bucs in this situation.
Gozurman1, I agree with you completely. Would be great to see Andrew here for the long haul, but with all of the OF talent we have in the minors, we could unload him for a KINGS RANSOM if he is unwilling to sign another club friendly, yet near fair market contract.
On the Cervelli/Diaz front, I am not nearly as hyped about Diaz as q lot of other people are. Personally, there is no way in heck that I am paying Cervelli anywhere NEAR the 39+ million that he is looking for. That being said, Reese McGuire is an absolute stud behind the dish. At 21 yrs old, he is already MLB ready DEFENSIVELY…but he does need some more time in the minors to improve on the offensive side of things. He will undoubtedly end the year in AA Altoona, and might even get to sniff AAA Indy for a few weeks at seasons end for playoff roster expansion. He is the future starting catcher, not Diaz…However, Diaz might be the 2017 opening day starter until McGuire avoids Super Two status, but make no doubts, when Reese is ready, he will be starting. That left handed power out of your catcher will play very nicely in PNC park, especially with all if the defensive accolades the kid is already receiving.
Finally, pitching. Our fan base doesn’t even realize the treat that we might be in for this season. Cole, Liriano, and Niese are locks to be in the rotation all year long, with Vogelsong, Locke, and Nicasio most likely battling in Spring Training to earn the last 2 rotation spots. However, come mid June, Tyler Glasnow and Nick Kingham will have avoided Super Two status and will almost certainly be called up unless the bottom of our rotation is pitching super human and/or Tyler and Nick are getting hammered in Indy. I could envision a scenario where Kingham stays down until roster expansion, but not Glasnow, he WILL be in Pittsburgh by mid June. Then don’t forget that a fully recovered Jameson Taillion will be making his major league debut for September call ups, or sooner if his performance forces managements hand to bring him up sooner. So imagine this for just a moment…
Cole
Liriano
Glasnow
Niese
Taillion/Kingham (most likely Kingham, with Taillion working out of the bullpen just to be extra cautious after his return and recovery from Tommy John)
Holy Cow Bucco fans, this pitching staff could be electric to watch night in and night out…especially if Uncle Ray can get the most out of Mr. Niese!
Sorry, where are you getting that Reese McGuire has power? 6’0, 180 lbs, 3 career minor league HRs, and a .328 SLG%. I understand he’s only 20 with some room to grow, but he needs to display at least SOME power before we start talking about how his “power” will play at PNC Park
Also, Taillon is 2 years removed from TJ surgery, Kingham only had his last March. No way Kingham gets a call before Taillon.
Thinking maybe dempsey77 is thinking of Chad Kuhl. His name has been bantered about as well but he will not be till after Taillon as well. Kingham not till 2017 the way things actually look and what I have read.