The Giants and Pirates have “remained in contact” regarding star outfielder Andrew McCutchen, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (Twitter link). McCutchen could represent an alternative to Giancarlo Stanton for the San Francisco organization, Morosi suggests.
This is the first time we’ve seen the 31-year-old McCutchen come up clearly in trade rumors this winter. He’s owed $14.5MM for the 2018 season and will reach free agency thereafter.
McCutchen is no longer the superstar he once was, but did just wrap up a productive 2017 campaign. In 650 plate appearances, he slashed .279/.363/.486 and hit 28 home runs.
Metrics are not enamored of McCutchen’s glovework in center, so he doesn’t seem like a direct replacement for Denard Span, who’s expected to move into a corner spot. But Cutch’s ability to handle some time up the middle certainly doesn’t hurt. He’s also a far less committing acquisition target than is Stanton.
It’s not immediately clear what it might take to get the Bucs to part with their franchise icon. Moving the salary would help the organization seek some other improvements, though losing McCutchen would also mean creating an immediate hole — even if the team is comfortable relying upon Austin Meadows and/or piecing together some platoon pieces. Given McCutchen’s standing with the fan base, there’s added motivation for the Pirates to hold out for a worthwhile return. And the organization will be cognizant of the possibility of instead dealing him at the trade deadline, if the ballclub does not compete, or making him a qualifying offer at the end of the coming season.
2nd to last to denard in runs saved
Denard Span has a noodle arm. Dude can barley throw it back to the infield
Cutch doesn’t exactly have a Clemente arm himself.
Cutch also has a noodle arm. I’d like to see him and Span have a throw-off
Hes dead last in DRS with -65 since 2014, he doesn’t solve their CF issue, and only gives the Giants another somewhat expensive corner outfielder. Doesn’t seem like a good fit
Stanton wouldn’t solve their CF issue either. They’re looking for a corner OF with a big bat in addition to a glove-first CF.
Stanton would give them the option of a glove first guy in CF though.
this is true but also marred by an absolutly horrible 2016, in 2017 he bouced back. still not good at all though.
Barry Bonds 2.0 Lol
Will they give him the juice at the airport or wait for him to arrive at the stadium?
Probably have Kontos give him directions on how to get to the airport and when he arrives, Vogelsong will take care of juice along with being his chauffeur.
Hahaha good one
And melky will help him suddenly develop a cannon of an arm in the middle of his career
A bad OF defender so he would fit right in.
Don’t forget the fact that he’s aging to add to that list.
He’s not the only one.
So, Pence would become an expensive bench guy?
Probably would have McCutchen in left right?
Right left.
another signature tire kicking by Sabean
Giants are a mess. So many huge contracts to some aging stars. One last shot before a rebuild.
The Giants need a JBJ, Kiermaier, or a Billy Hamilton to patrol that OF bruh
There is absolutely nothing they have that can realistically get Kiermaier.
Every team needs one of those guys. The problem is there aren’t as many of them as there are teams. You need to settle in one position in order to improve in another. A slight improvement over Span is better than none at all.
A typical Giants move ha. Aging, declining outfielders. You would think they would learn. They somehow have been successful even with these questionable decisions so who are we to judge
They’re like a gambler who just doesn’t know when to stop. Every roll just might be the one that gets them back on track. Instead, they just wash further and further down the drain.
In 2010, 2012, and 2014, Brian Sabean was baseball’s version of Mr. Jackpots. He probably yelled out “Helllooooooooo!” when he picked up Cody Ross off the waiver wire.
Hard pass, thanks.
If they end up with McCutchen I feel like they have to get JBJ so they have a center fielder also. And honestly an outfield of Cutch, JBJ and a Span/Pence platoon doesn’t seem that bad to me. The defense lacks a bit in the corners but hey it’s the giants
You forgot about Slater
Gary Matthews Jr. isn’t available? Sr. Even?
The perfect move for the Giants is to get Gardner and Headley from the Yanks, they are looking to move salary and have young replacements for them. This gives the Giants a chance to get back into the mix in the West without a big commitment. Once they see where their pitching is they can move forward next year.
Gardner and Headley wont make help them be competitive
Maybe if it was Gardner and Headley AND Stsnton
Headley is horrible and expensive. He’s only a name at this point.
Gardner yes if the price was right, but Headley isn’t going to help anyone. His defensive numbers have been bad for the last 3 years, and over that span he’s only averaged a 94 OPS+. There are plenty of better options for 3B.
I’d like Billy Hamilton out of the names mentioned.
Cutch won’t be leaving Pittsburgh unless giants give them something really good in return. Don’t see that happening .
Nor should he be leaving. The guy is the face of the franchise. Look, Marte hasn’t been the same since he got caught juicing and Polanco has not lived up to the hype. Why trade away a guy the fans love?
How many fireworks and bobble head nights will they need to draw disgruntled fans?
What a pathetic ownership group in Pittsburgh
What about Marte? He can play center. The Giants philosophy is if it’s not dead and can play center, they’ll talk to them.
Yeah, that sounds better! Give them Marte, and leave Cutch in Pittsburgh, where he is more well liked. The Pirates have other players to take care of left field
A lot of criticism of the Giants for just talking to the Bucs about Cutch. But how does anyone know how serious they really are. What if the Giants are only sending a message to the Marlins by making the discussion public? They could be telling the Marlins to make a decision soon or they’re moving on.
I’d be curious if any of the Sabermetrics guys had some actual stats on the number of different starting OFers (on average) an MLB team uses in a season?
SF basically had two (Pence and Span) at the beginning of the season and prayed someone else would step up, but my point is that they need more than three and they didn’t even have that. For a team that has such a high payroll and has a great draw, they really should have done better.
I’m sure the Cubs would be more than happy to hand off Jason Heyward to the Giants for nothing in return aside from assuming all his remaining contract. Gold Glove D they need in CF, but his bat won’t do much for their offense