11:07am: Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweets that the Yankees’ interest in McCutchen is “soft.” They’re expected to add an outfielder today, he adds, but it doesn’t appear that McCutchen is high on the list of targets at this time.
Meanwhile, Bob Nightengale tweets that the Giants do not expect to move McCutchen at all today.
8:22am: The Yankees, Phillies and Indians are all showing “varying levels of interest” in Giants outfielder Andrew McCutchen, per MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, who writes that San Francisco is more open to moving potential free agents than it was earlier this summer. On the other hand, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic tweets that while the Giants may indeed consider a move involving McCutchen, he doesn’t believe the team would seriously consider doing so until next month in a potential waiver deal. Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle strikes a similar tone, tweeting that Giants are actually still looking at adding to their outfield or rotation in an effort to improve the team’s 2018 chances.
The Giants, of course, have slipped in the NL West standings this month, though they’re still just five and a half games back of the division lead. The reported possibility of surgery for right-hander Johnny Cueto doesn’t do any favors for the team’s hopes of climbing back up the standings, but GM Bobby Evans and president Brian Sabean have never been overly inclined to send their team into “sell” mode in the past.
It’s not hard to see why any of the teams listed by Morosi would at least have interest in McCutchen, though the Yankees’ need may be too short-term in nature for a player like McCutchen. New York has reportedly been seeking an extra outfield bat with Aaron Judge and Clint Frazier on the shelf, but McCutchen would be a costly addition (financially speaking) and crowd the team’s outfield mix in fairly notable fashion if and when Judge is ready to return next month.
Cleveland and Philadelphia, meanwhile, both showed some interest in Adam Jones but have come to learn that he’s unlikely to waive his 10-and-5 no-trade protection. As such, both have been tied to other bats on the market in recent days. The Indians, in particular, are said to be focusing on an upgrade in center field, though McCutchen is clearly better-suited for corner outfield work at this stage of his career.
McCutchen, 31, is earning $14.75MM this year in his final season before reaching free agency for the first time in his career. He’s enjoyed a solid season at the plate, though his offensive output hasn’t been anywhere near his peak levels, when he was the 2013 NL MVP and widely considered to be among the game’s best all-around players. In 454 plate appearances with San Francisco, McCutchen is hitting .258/.352/.407 with 10 homers, 24 doubles and a pair of triples — still above the league average (especially considering his cavernous home park) but no longer at elite levels.
For the Giants, there’d be some financial incentive in moving McCutchen, as shedding the remainder of his salary (roughly $4.84MM) would help to ensure that they remain south of the $197MM luxury tax threshold. But, doing so would also thin their outfield mix and serve as a gut-punch in the clubhouse. Ultimately, it doesn’t seem likely that the Giants will opt to deal McCutchen prior to the non-waiver deadline, though the interest in him and the potential for a move down the line are of at least some note.
Of course the Yankees are in on everyone.
Lol
Dodgers are in on everyone too!!
And the Indians, too. They have an unlimited talk and text plan.
The chances of the Giants making the playoffs changes very little with or without Cutch… the % is about the same they make it with all their young guys as it is with their oft injured vets
While I agree Cutch isn’t what he used to be I still think something can be said about a Vet who knows how to win.
And Cutch does? Remind me again how many WS he appeared in as a Pirate…
He said “a Vet who knows how to win” he didn’t say anything about the WS. How many WS have you appeared in?
Zero but he did lead a franchise from a laughingstock with the longest losing streak in MLB history back to relevance.
No he didn’t. The pitching staff did. Cutch got all the credit because he was flashy,
Or he got the credit because he finished top 5 in MVP voting 4 times and won it once. He got a lot of the credit because he earned it.
McCutchen WAS the pirates he put an entire franchise on his back and carried it into October and took less money to stay. I don’t care if they didn’t get to the ws.
Knowing the Giants they are asking a very high price for him. probably trying to package Pence along with him. After all said and done they will be holding him and over priced themselves out of the market. yanks probably just asked and seen the price was to much for a 4th outfielder.
You still have to hit, drive runs in, and play Defense, last I remember, during his career there, he did all3
Orangebleeding Giants fan hea, agreed, love Cutch always been a player with class
And never doubt a vet who can still contribute
Never
I have as many postseason RBI’s as Cutch does.
I’ve been reading this site for many years now and never felt compelled enough to sign up until now. For the past two years, any time anyone mentions Andrew McCutchen, you say “He never had any postseason RBI’s”, like that’s some kind of relevant stat. I’d like to point out that Cutch hit .321 combined in the playoffs 2013-2015. He hit .360 if you take out the Bumgardner game when he basically shut down the entire Pirates offense. Cutch also had 6 postseason walks. 9 for 28 with 6 walks and a double… that sounds like a pretty good postseason player to me. It’s not his fault that no one else got on base for him to knock in.
.258/.352/.407 with 10 homers seems like the epitome of mediocrity
Gints could have had the same production from several AAA prospects for a lot less than $14M
What kind of logic is that? You do understand what MLB average is right? His numbers grade out to above that average. If there were several AAA prospects that could do better why aren’t other teams simply adding these prospects? It’s highly doubtful that numerous prospects are languishing in the minors when they could provide production above the MLB average.
McCutchen has been a disappointment. They were looking for a lot more than that slash line for $14M
Leads the team in RBI, runs, doubles, stolen bases, walks,… third in on-base percentage…. the slugging % and home runs are a bit of a disappointment, but he’s not really a power hitter and playing in a huge park. It’s a bad team that would be much worse without him.
Evans will still find a way to mess this up.
The Yankees are getting close to the CBT level and have already traded away prospect talent. Why would they possibly want McC?
Because its the Yankees and the media has them in on everyone like every year.
Because Judge is hurt
It’s so funny how a player gets hurt on the Yankees fan base expects for a trade to fill in the injured player. Judge isn’t going to be out the whole season. Why can’t they be like anyone else and just call up a player..
“It’s so funny how a player gets hurt on the Yankees fan base expects for a trade to fill in the injured player” I don’t know if you’re new to baseball but every fan wants their FO to make that trade, for the betterment. “Why can’t they be like anyone else and just call up a player..” maybe you should look up the Yankees depth before trying to make a post like this…
I did they already have 3 outfielders. Stanton, Gardner, Hicks. They can also use Walker as a DH. Judge will be back in a few weeks so why in the world would they get another Outfielder? Just to use him for a few weeks?
I’m just saying you aren’t wasting anyone if you call up a player that’s why every team usually calls up a player in this situation.
The simple answer is Boston. They are trying to catch them so they aren’t stuck in a wild card game where anything can happen. If they can find a deal that they feel is better than a call up then it’s worth considering. Just imagine the reaction from Yankee fans if they didn’t make a trade and finished 1 game back of Boston and lost the wild card game.
Well if Yankees fans complained at all they are selfish. I guess Acquiring a MVP wasn’t good enough
They have enough for Cutch and still be under the threshold.
As a lifelong Indians fan, I am happy that they are at least trying to win, but they have had interest in pretty much EVERYONE who has been listed on here. The next breaking story will be that the Dunkin Donuts maker has been made available and the Indians have expressed interest in him.
Cleveland: you need to do something today to get an OF, preferably with a decent bat, and let’s have an August, September and October to remember.
Indians had their chance. No way they come out of the AL.
Hey now, that’s rude. At least Cleveland had their chance, something Milwaukee will never have.
surprising comment from a Cubs fan. I live in Ohio and go to Tribe games regularly so I can comment on the Indians. You just like to troll anything Brewers related.
No one thought they’d come out of the AL two years ago and they did. Anything can happen in October.
Ha yeah Giants front office does the same thing. Sometimes I seriously wonder if we all pay attention to baseball more than our FO members do…
One name that keeps popping up is Billy Hamilton, and I hope to God that doesn’t happen. Great in the field and in the bases, it’s just getting on base that he doesn’t have the hang of yet.
I’d love the Indians to get McCutchen…just not to play center. But in right field I’d take him.
100% agree. I think that Indians fans would love him and Cutch would be a nice addition to that lineup… but he should not be playing CF any more.
I was hoping all year that the Giants would tank and Cutch would end up an Indian. As a boycotting Pirates fan, I’ve traveled to more game in Cleveland than to PNC Park this year (and I work 8 blocks away from PNC!). I listen to the Indians on the radio pretty often too. We’d all love to have Cutch back close to home again on a contender…. even if just for this season.. He seems like the perfect fit in right field.
sure why not. Grab him and see what happens. Maybe he can run the basepaths better than El Torito.
I was one of the Giants fans who was whole heartedly against a rebuild to start the year, and still am (at least against a total rebuild). But with Cueto out now, I think we should sell what we can, try to replenish the farm system a bit, then retool next year when the CBT is no longer an issue and we can actually afford some talented players.
We should get together and go bowling. There is nothing wrong with admitting this season is not in the cards, especially with Cueto now out for what looks like the year. Try to retool in the offseason and unload some excess players that aren’t going to be here or can help fill out the farm.
Even before the Yankees introduced Judge, I wanted to see McCutchen with them. Of course, completely redundant now with 20 outfielders or so on their roster vying for playing time (sarcasm).
It doesnt matter. He’s likely leaving anyway. They need to trade Evan Longoria as well if they trade Cutch.
Longoria has more years left so doubtful he gets traded.
As far as Cutch what would they get a flyer on a potential mop up reliever ceiling guy? If they are under the limit and get some value sure, but why do it for the above you know?
Doesn’t matter if he has a few years left. I bet anything he wants out. I’m not sure if he had a say in going to the giants. But if he did he chose wrong.
Longoria had 10/5 rights so he could have nixed the trade.
I agree that Longoria should be on the first plane out of town. How much money do you think they would have to eat to move him?
I’ll trade you dexter Fowler for Longoria straight up lol
McCutchen has been driving the ball well and has a high hard contact rate despite a low average. He has made most of the plays you’d expect in right field and mixes in a few tough catches. Willie Mays park is a tough right field with the angles and different surfaces. He would not be a centerfield for any contending team. Stealing bases is not much a part of his game at this point.
He is valuable to a team that lacks corner outfield production. Remember too that a lot of younger players regress in August when they (a) pass their prior max workload and (b) scouting figures them out.
Ellsbury/Walker/Cessa (Payroll – $51.5M) for Shark/McCutchen (Payroll – $49M)
Ellsbury (Owed $50M-ish through 2020, including 5M buyout for 2021)
Walker (Owed $1.35M-ish through end of the season)
Cessa (Owed <$200K this year with 1 year of team control and 3 Arb years)
Shark (Owed $42M-ish through 2020)
McCutchen (Owed $5M-ish through end of season)
The Yankees take off a little payroll to the Giants, who have the second highest payroll in the majors and the two teams swap bad contracts while addressing their own current needs. The Yankees need to borrow an outfielder and the Giants need some infield flexibility and starting pitching.
If Ellsbury is moved he will miraculously be healed and rehabbed in time for a National League playoff push and beyond. The Giants have shown they aren't afraid of utilizing aged vets and have still remained competitive in their division. Ells is a serviceable center and corner outfielder but is incredibly blocked in New York. A change of scenery and league to his native northwest could be the cure to his ailments.
Meanwhile, the Giants move Samardzija and can move on from their buyers remorse and the Yankees could work to retool him the way of CC Sabathia. The Yankees like hard throwers and have a decent track record of fixing broken projects.
Either way, both teams get to free themselves from their self imposed prisons made from bad contract signings that simply have not worked out for them. I have advocated for this deal pretty much all season and even as a straight up (Yankees would have to cover the difference in salaries) net neutral deal that could benefit both clubs and hurt neither.
Walker is a rental switch hitter who could give the Giants some versatility with the infield with his ability to play 3rd, 2nd, and 1st. Walker has shown he is able to hit well recently with regular playing time and expands options for infield management. The Yankees are in a roster crunch and are looking to free room on the 25 and 40 man rosters to protect some of their younger players and Walker could be an acceptable casualty for New York while still providing production and above average fielding for a contending team.
McCutchen to the Yankees would be a good fit for the Aaron Judge layoff. The Yankees can afford to absorb the payroll and the Giants end up lowering payroll in the process. Cutch isnt going to earn a king's ransom on the trade market and the Giants could play bullish to weasle an additional big league ready outfielder from the deep Yankees farm system (Shane Robinson is on the 25 man right now as a potential piece if this trade would happen.)
To grease the wheels, the Yankees move Luis Cessa as well in the deal and give the Giants a back of rotation ready arm with lots of inexpensive team control. Cessa has struggled early in his career but has recently found his groove but with the acquisitions of JA Happ and Lance Lynn as well as the overstocked bullpen he may be the odd man out of any real playing time.
The salary is close to neutral but with the Giants taking on slightly more. The Yanks could afford to cover the difference and make it a budget neutral deal or offer up a AAAA quality outfielder with control left to plug in for the immediate loss of McCutchen.
Yankees aren’t finding a taker for Ellbsury. Give it a rest lol
The Giants are the only team that could or would possibly do it. It’d have to be a bad contract swap. Only way it happens. I know its a complete crapshoot and one in the dark to boot but I’m gonna keep trying to visualize it til it materializes anyway. lol
Shark has more value than Ellsbury at this point. Yanks would need to throw in another $10 million to make the Giants budge.
Nobody wants Shark.
Nobody wants Ellsbury either. That’s why it works.
They’re fine collecting the insurance. The decision on Ellsbury will probably be this winter.
And nobody wants to read this diatribe
This is the first Ellsbury trade I’ve ever seen that actually makes sense. It makes so much sense you know it won’t happen though.
Add Melancon and you might have yourself a deal!
One big omission in your proposal is that McCutchen is still a productive player, albeit not what he once was, but Ellsbury is totally useless. He hasn’t played one minute in the field this season. So no, the Giants aren’t “the only team that could or would possibly do it”, since no team in baseball would do it..
indians.
What happened to McCutchen? Big drop off in performance the last few years. He’s only 31.
Game was built on speed. Lost a step with his feet and just a tad slower with the bat. Still a nice player but just not a great player anymore.
Glad the Pirates didn’t hold on to him until the deadline this year. Crick has been extremely valuable and his replacement (Dickerson) has been huge. I love Cutch but the average fan was way too harsh on that deal.
Also, they have Reynolds in AA who is hitting rather well so a nice bonus if he continues to develop.
But can you admit that had it not been for the MIRACLE of the Rays trading Dickerson for Daniel Hudson, this season would have been a total loss for the Pirates? (like, worse than the Reds bad)
Has anyone sent Adam Jones a link to Googlemaps illustrating the easy driving distance between Philadelphia and Baltimore?
First off, as a life long pirate fan please please don’t make cutch a yankee I just can’t see him in pinstripes, Anyway I still think Cutch has something left in the tank. I’m not surprised to see so many people downplaying just how good he was and what he meant to pirate fans. It was clear from day one that he was different, from the start he said he wanted to win in Pittsburgh. No one had said that in decades. He took less money to stay, he never complained about management, he was the least likely guy to get thrown out of a game, he hustled on every play, and is one of the classiest guys in baseball, and when the team lost he said that he needed to get better, even though he was hitting 320. Oh and for anyone who still thinks he was overrated go to baseball reference. After 20 years in wandering in exile, he carried an entire franchise on his back, out of the desert and into October. He meant more to us than any player did to any fan base. I’m holding out one day that somehow or another even for just half a year we’ll see cutch in black and gold again. I don’t expect fans of almost any other team to understand. Especially ones that on average win it all 25% of the time… And while there’s no way he is an hof obviously, the bucs should still retire 22 once he’s done playing.
Very well said. Probably the only player who lived here in town, season round.
His wife and son are still here. He said they are never moving from Pittsburgh. I’m still hoping he ends up with the Indians in August so we get to see him make a run for the World Series close to home.
You can have him back for Kyle Crick. Giants will even toss in Melancon and Dyson for good measure. Watson stays in black and orange though.
Kole Calhoun to the Yankees…..
I’d rather they start Shane Robinson the rest of the year.