Andrew McCutchen, who wore a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform between 2009 and 2017, will return to the Bucs on a one-year deal worth $5 million.
A first round draft pick by the Bucs in 2005, McCutchen patrolled centerfield at PNC Park for nearly a decade. He was named to five consecutive NL All-Star Teams between 2011 and 2015 earning 2013 NL MVP honors. He also finished in the top five in NL MVP voting in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Prior to the 2018 season, the Pirates traded McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants for the man who would eventually replace him in centerfield - Bryan Reynolds. Cutch would only spend a half-season by the way being dealt to the New York Yankees before signing a 3-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Last season, McCutchen played with the Milwaukee Brewers hitting .237 with 17 HR and 69 RBI in 134 games played.
Now 36, McCutchen might have a little spring in step returning to his place of glory in Pittsburgh. McCutchen probably won't play every day but will get to DH and be a fourth outfielder. But who knows? If the Pirates accede to Reynolds' demands that he be traded then perhaps McCutchen will get more playing time and could exceed all expectations.
McCutchen enters 2023 needing only 52 more hits for 2,000 for his career and 13 more HR to reach the 300 mark. Last season, he passed 1,000 career RBI.
Above all else, it would be great to see the Pirates play winning baseball with McCutchen's return and, against all odds, win their first World Series title since 1979. That would make baseball worth watching again.
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