Pirates Open To Re-Signing Andrew McCutchen – MLB Trade Rumors

Lead

On January 25, Andrew McCutchen publicly expressed frustration about remaining unsigned and missing PiratesFest, prompting fresh discussion about a possible return to Pittsburgh. The 39-year-old veteran posted that, if this is his final season, he had hoped to see fans one last time as a Pirate. Pittsburgh general manager Ben Cherington told fans during PiratesFest that the club values McCutchen but must finish roster construction before defining his role. The club’s recent signings and McCutchen’s 2025 numbers make a part-time, platoon or sentimental return the likeliest paths.

Key Takeaways

• Andrew McCutchen, entering his age-39 season, posted frustration on January 25 about being unsigned and not attending PiratesFest.
• McCutchen hit .239/.333/.367 with 13 homers in 551 plate appearances in 2025, producing a 95 wRC+ and a strong 12.2% walk rate.
• Pirates GM Ben Cherington emphasized respect for McCutchen and said the club is still assembling the roster before deciding his role.
• Pittsburgh has added Ryan O’Hearn and targeted other offense upgrades (Brandon Lowe, Jhostynxon Garcia, Jake Mangum) this winter.
• McCutchen has been primarily a designated hitter recently (20 OF games from 2023–25) but has plated positive OAA in limited outfield action and +2 OAA since shifting to a DH role in 2022.
• Roster construction, handedness balance and the club’s effort to upgrade youth and versatility are central to whether Pittsburgh re-signs Cutch.
• For the Pirates, the decision balances competitive aims in 2026, payroll and the sentimental value of keeping a franchise icon.

Background

Andrew McCutchen spent 12 of his 18 Major League seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and returned to the club before the 2023 season with the stated aim of helping usher in a winning era. After several one-year deals, the veteran remains unsigned as of January 25 even as he told fans in August he wanted to return for another season while acknowledging a slip in 2025 production. McCutchen’s standing in Pittsburgh is shaped both by his peak years as an MVP-level player and by his recent role change to primarily a designated hitter.

Pittsburgh has endured seven consecutive losing seasons and has prioritized improving its offense this winter. That strategy led to moves such as signing Ryan O’Hearn and pursuing other additions like Brandon Lowe, Jhostynxon Garcia and Jake Mangum. Those actions reflect a front office focus on raising the offensive floor and ceiling, while the club also considers whether veterans with declining profiles still fit the roster construction plan.

Main Event

On January 25 McCutchen posted on social media that he was frustrated by his unsigned status and by not being at PiratesFest, noting that other long-time stars in baseball were treated differently in their farewell appearances. He wrote that, if this is his last year, he would have liked to meet fans one last time as a player. That public expression renewed attention on his future and on whether Pittsburgh will offer another short-term deal.

During PiratesFest, GM Ben Cherington addressed the crowd and media, praising McCutchen’s legacy and saying the club wants to remain in good standing with him while still building a roster that gives the best chance to win in midseason months. Cherington stressed the organization is still assembling the team and will continue to communicate with McCutchen as decisions are made. His remarks framed the situation as balancing respect for a franchise icon with roster needs.

From a performance standpoint, McCutchen’s 2025 season featured a modest batting line and a below-average wRC+, but he walked at a robust 12.2% clip and provided occasional defensive value in very limited outfield action. The Pirates have options that overlap with McCutchen’s DH/first-base/outfield profile—most notably Ryan O’Hearn and Spencer Horwitz—potentially limiting full-time opportunities. Given his recent usage and the club’s acquisition strategy, any deal is likely to be short-term and role-limited.

Analysis & Implications

McCutchen’s status is a textbook roster-construction dilemma: emotional and branding value versus on-field production and roster efficiency. Keeping him would preserve continuity, fan goodwill and the narrative of a returning icon aiming to help a rebuild. However, a roster spot occupied by a 95 wRC+ DH is costly if front-office measures prioritize adding younger, more versatile players who can play multiple positions and provide similar or better offensive upside.

The handedness and defensive profile of recent additions complicates the calculus. O’Hearn and Horwitz are left-handed bats who can cover first base and DH, opening a possible platoon or bench role for a right-handed bat like McCutchen. But that scenario reduces playing time and may not satisfy McCutchen’s desire to meaningfully contribute rather than merely fill a spot.

Financially and competitively, the Pirates appear to be seeking affordable upgrades that increase depth and maximize innings from younger players. That approach suggests any McCutchen return would likely be a low-cost, short-term contract with defined limitations. For Pittsburgh, the tradeoff is short-term marketing and clubhouse benefits versus longer-term roster flexibility and development of younger assets.

Comparison & Data

The table highlights McCutchen’s 2025 decline versus his career norms. While his walk rate (12.2%) remained a positive indicator of plate discipline, his overall run production fell below league average. Contextually, Pittsburgh’s lineup in 2025 lacked depth: McCutchen’s 95 wRC+ ranked fourth on the team, underlining why the front office prioritized offensive additions this winter. Past defensive measures show small-sample positive OAA marks in limited outfield appearances, but the sample size is too small for conclusive defensive evaluation.

Reactions & Quotes

If this is my last year, it would have been nice to meet the fans one last time as a player.

Andrew McCutchen, social post (Jan 25)

McCutchen’s social post framed his disappointment as both personal and public, emphasizing the emotional stakes of potentially finishing his career away from a fan event tied to his home franchise.

Andrew has meant a ton to the team. His legacy as a Pirate is secure. We want to keep a strong relationship with him as we continue to build the roster.

Ben Cherington, Pittsburgh Pirates GM (PiratesFest)

Cherington’s comments acknowledged McCutchen’s place in club history while reiterating that roster decisions will be driven by what gives the team the best chance to win in peak months.

I simply haven’t been asked to play the field; the times I did were at my suggestion.

Andrew McCutchen, social post (Jan 19)

This earlier post from January 19 addressed narratives about McCutchen’s defensive ability and clarified his own account of how he was used in limited outfield duty.

Unconfirmed

• There is no confirmed interest from other clubs for McCutchen at this time; reports and assumptions about a Pirates-only market remain unverified.
• McCutchen’s long-term intentions — whether he will retire if not re-signed — have not been formally declared.
• The precise role Pittsburgh would offer (platoon, bench, occasional DH or full-time) has not been finalized and remains subject to further roster moves.

Bottom Line

The situation is likely to resolve as a short-term, role-limited agreement if the Pirates re-sign Andrew McCutchen. Pittsburgh appears motivated to honor his legacy while prioritizing roster moves that create more offense and positional flexibility for a team emerging from a multi-year rebuild.

For McCutchen, returning to Pittsburgh would offer a chance to finish as part of the club he helped define, but playing time and role clarity will be central to whether both sides reach a deal. Expect negotiations to extend through the remainder of the offseason and into Spring Training as roster makeup becomes clearer.

Sources

• MLB Trade Rumors — reporting and analysis summarizing McCutchen posts and PiratesFest remarks