“I want to play (baseball) here, I don’t want to play anywhere else.”
‘Pirate Captain’ Andrew McCutchen, 37, wants to stay with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Major League Baseball Trade Rumors (MLBTR) broke the news of McCutchen’s desire to stay on Monday (Aug. 28).
McCutchen returned to Pittsburgh after signing a one-year, $5 million free agent contract ahead of the season. It’s been six seasons since he left the team after the 2017 season.
McCutchen has many fond memories 안전놀이터 in Pittsburgh. He developed into a franchise star with the team, winning one National League MVP (2013) and five National League All-Star selections (2011-2015).
Since returning to Pittsburgh, McCutchen has been on a roll. After a couple of down seasons that led to concerns about aging and an aging curve, McCutchen is batting .267 (43-for-161) with eight home runs, 20 RBIs, and an OPS of .816 in 46 games this year.
“Pittsburgh has rebuilt a team unlike any of the previous seven seasons, and McCutchen has been a big part of that resurgence,” said MLBTR. He’s been a mentor to a young clubhouse.”
“Since 2018, McCutchen has played for the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers, but hasn’t been able to impress. Returning to Pittsburgh has given him some stability, and as a result, he naturally wants to stay in Pittsburgh.”
McCutchen also expressed his desire to remain in Pittsburgh. “If things keep going the way they’re going, we’ll keep going,” he told MLBTR, “I want to play (baseball) here, I don’t want to play anywhere else. I don’t know if it’s the familiarity or the comfort of being in Pittsburgh, but the surroundings and the atmosphere here is like nowhere else. It’s nice to feel all that again.”
McCutchin’s presence as a leader and mentor in the dugout has had a positive impact on the team. Bae, 24, has been seen on the sideline chatting with McCutchen during games and picking his brain.
McCutchen’s contract with Pittsburgh expires at the end of the 2023 season. Will their partnership continue?