The Pirates and Nationals connected on a notable July trade that sent Mark Melancon from Pittsburgh to D.C. in exchange for Felipe Rivero and Taylor Hearn, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that a second blockbuster between the two sides was also discussed at length. Pittsburgh and Washington talked about a potential trade that would’ve sent Andrew McCutchen to the Nationals according to Rosenthal, though the deal apparently crumbled because there were too many moving parts at play. He adds that top prospect Victor Robles was one Pirates target in the deal.
It’s unlikely that the talks are picked back up due to the fact that there’s a gap between how the Pirates view McCutchen and how the Nats view him, Rosenthal continues, though serious trade discussions involving the 2013 NL MVP do at least indicate that the Bucs could be open to moving him this winter.
McCutchen turned in what was far and away the worst season of his career in 2016, taking notable steps backwards in terms of his offense, defense and baserunning. The 30-year-old’s .256/.336/.430 batting line still checked in a bit above the league average, per park-adjusted metrics like wRC+ and OPS+, but McCutchen had batted at least .292 with an OBP of at least .400 in each of the four prior seasons. Meanwhile, he stole a career-low six bases and was caught seven times. And in center field, the once premium defender turned in awful Defensive Runs Saved (-28) and Ultimate Zone Rating (-18.7) marks, though Rosenthal hears that the Pirates believe his poor ratings are due to the fact that McCutchen was positioned too shallow for much of the season (a problem that Dexter Fowler recently cited when discussing his own defensive improvements).
It’s not entirely clear if the Pirates will look to move McCutchen this winter or if they’ll just opportunistically listen to offers, though the team does have a near-MLB-ready replacement in the form of top prospect Austin Meadows. But even if they don’t, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that his defensive shortcomings in 2016 could spell the end of his time in center field (Twitter link). Per Olney, the Bucs are considering a new outfield alignment that would feature Gregory Polanco in left field, Starling Marte in center field and McCutchen in right field.
If the Pirates do look to move McCutchen, though, there are undoubtedly a number of teams that would line up to take a chance on him returning to his previous heights. He’s owed a reasonable $14MM next year and also has a $14.5MM club option on his contract, which comes with a $1MM buyout. Even on the heels of a down season for McCutchen, the opportunity to acquire someone of his ceiling and owe him just a $15MM guarantee over one year (with a reasonably priced option for a second season) is intriguing for any club in need of outfield help. However, the challenge, as is the case when inquiring on any star-level player coming off a down season, will be agreeing on a price point. The Pirates almost certainly would value McCutchen at a very high level, but interested parties may be reluctant to pay a premium price for a 30-year-old that could be entering into a decline phase.
That disparity is highlighted by the package reported by Rosenthal; Robles currently ranks as the No. 10 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com, but Rosenthal notes that the Pirates weren’t keen on trading McCutchen for only one outfield prospect that has yet to play above Class-A. That’s certainly understandable, as it’s not uncommon at all for toolsy young outfielders to flame out, and being left with nothing to show for trading the face of the franchise would be a disastrous outcome.
I don’t see Cutch back in Pittsburgh next season. If he can be moved that would open up salary that could be used toward a veteran SP. I could see the Pirates seeking a young SP and as usual flame throwing relievers in any deal.
It will free up money for Boob Nuthing to put into his 2 precious resorts. He cares nothing about the Pirates winning & I care nothing about buying another ticket until MLB rids us of this cheap bum. I stopped my Club Level 20 game plan (2 of us were spending about $4,000 on seats & refreshments each year) after 2015 when I saw how he got rid of Walker, Alverez & didn’t make any effort to sign JA Happ. CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP! And prospects that make the bigs when they are 26 or older. WHERE ARE ALL THE GREAT PROSPECTS????? You get what you pay for & he pays for hasbins & reclamation projects. I can see another 20 year losing streak.
The only way that things change is that the cash flow dries up.
As a businessman Nutting has done a great job – would make a great case study – spend just enough to get fans to stay excited into September – don’t go crazy and spend to win…
I cancelled my club seats in two years ago and stopped buying any merchandise. I do watch the games on Root from Florida via MLB.TV
I separate the Pirates business from the Pirates team – the business is what Nutting an his family bought – they own it and free to run it any way they want. The Team is what i grew up listening to – late nights with an earphone and the Gunner…
The team is ours – mine – yours – the business is what the Nuttings own – and i hate.
Crazy. Even after a down year, it would be incredibly expensive for anyone to acquire Cutch. Great season after season after season, then 1 bad year doesn’t make him cheap. No buying low on a superstar. Their price is always high. Can’t imagine to even begin describing the coup the Pirates would get in return for him.
I know a few years back NH was kicking himself for the trade of Bay. He was offered a deal which, in hindsight would have yielded the Pirates 4 core players. I never found out who the potential trade was with and for whom. Did they ever post it on here?
I know the Cardinals and the Rays were in play. If I remember correctly the Bucs wanted one of Price, Hellickson, and Wade Davis plus Reid Brignac. I don’t think they ever said who the Pirates were targeting in talks with the Cards.
I think it was the Red Sox.
Unless Turner would have been heading to the Pirates, there’s no way the Pirates should have even considered dealing Cutch. IMO, it makes a ton of sense for the Pirates to move McCutchen, but they are by no means forced to move him. If they’re not going to receive a haul for him, better off just keeping him, offering the QO, and getting draft pick compensation while allowing Meadows to develop longer.
Well I am sure Turner was off the table. A package around Robles wouldn’t be crazy for either team.
If the Mets miss out on Yo, I can see them inquire about him. Not sure what they would be willing to part with, but I’d be willing to give one of Harvey or Wheeler with Marcos Molina and Matt Reynolds. or a straight up trade for deGrom.
Pirates get a top arm for their rotation
Mets get a big bat who can play CF.
I rather have Yo but wouldn’t mind this if we missed out on him,.
As a Bucs fan, I would love that, but I think you are overpaying for Cutch.
I think Matz plus something is more along the lines of what it would take. This is assuming Matz projects to perform as he did in 2015.
The Pirates have prospects, so maybe Cutch plus something for DeGrom, but I wouldn’t trade him were I the Mets.
Maybe Wheeler since no one really knows what he’ll be.
As A Mets fan I can tell you the Mets aren’t trading De Grom or Matz in a million years. Wheeler I can see being dealt away in a package for Mc Cutchen however I don’t think he has a high value at all because the last time he pitched was in spring training of 2015.(not counting rehab games,bullpen sessions, or throwing off the mound)
I could see Wheeler+Flores for Mc Cutchen and the Pirates maybe doing that but I am still not sure because of the Neil Walker disaster trade that happened last year for the Bucs
If the Pirates can add a good #3 stater for Cutch, they should think about it.
If they can package Cutch plus something to get a good #2, they should do it.
This BS that his defense was hurt by playing to shallow sounds like the Pirates are trying to sell him a bit too hard. Having watched him for years he was just as bad when he played deep – too many balls would drop in front of him – most famously one in the first inning of the Cubs WC game that led to the first run for the Cubs – all the runs Arrieta would need…
Better still he had a tendency to trot to these balls and smart runners would be standing on second with a cheap double
If the Pirates are looking for a prospect on Robles level then he probably won’t be moved. Yes seasons prior to last he was arguably an MVP level CF but this year he was no worse than Jay Bruce would be in an average year. His best offer would probably be a package of 2″good prospects” meaning B-B+ level and maybe a Major leauge ready player. He won’t hit fa until 2018-2019 so he does have some control behind him.