On Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates have announced they’ve signed veteran designated hitter Andrew McCutchen to a one-year deal for a guaranteed $5 million. In 2024, the fun-loving 38-year-old hit .232/.328/.411, 20 HR, and 50 RBI in 120 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This was his fourth consecutive off-season as a free agent. The Pirates were first to report that they were bringing back McCutchen, where he rightfully belongs.
Source: He’s back. pic.twitter.com/I2FqZJA2l9
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) December 23, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Former MVP McCutchen Signs with the Pirates
For his 16-year career, McCutchen has hit .273/.367/.462, 319 HR, and 1,095 RBI with 219 SB and a 49.3 WAR. Sandwiched between his two stints with the Pirates, he also played for the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers. He’ll now continue his legacy in Pittsburgh with this deal. He’s a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger who was the National League Most Valuable Player in 2013. He’s not the same player he was when he led the Pirates to three consecutive postseason appearances as the wild card from 2013-15.
“Cutch” won a Gold Glove Award for his work in center field in 2012. However, he’s now strictly a designated hitter, making only occasional appearances in a corner outfield spot. When asked to take the field, he’s been adequate and hasn’t been charged with an error since 2021.
However, McCutchen still has something to give with a bat in his hands. His skill set enables manager Derek Shelton to plug him anywhere in the batting order, whether in an RBI spot to take advantage of his power or higher up where his on-base skills are useful. He batted first, fourth, or fifth in the 115 games he started in 2024. Although he doesn’t steal bases as he did in his younger days (only three in 2024), it was the leadoff spot where he flourished. In 81 games there, McCutchen hit .252, but more importantly, registered a .343 OBP.
What to Expect
He’s at the stage of his career where what you see is what you get. He won’t carry a team by himself. Since 2018, he’s hit .243/.346/.418 and averaged 17 HR and 53 RBI, close to his 2024 production. The Pirates will be pleased to get the steady, familiar mix of power and on-base skills from McCutchen in 2025.
The Pirates would be the perfect team to know that McCutchen is over the knee issue that landed him on the injured list last August. He’ll arrive in spring training ready to go.
Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The post Former MVP Andrew McCutchen Signs with the Pirates for One Year appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.