The Pirates are talking to center fielder Andrew McCutchen about an extension, tweets SI's Jon Heyman, and they're insisting on at least a five-year deal. That's another way of saying they want to buy out at least one free agent year, which comes as no surprise. As noted in our agency database, McCutchen is represented by Steve Hammond of Aegis Sports Management.
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported eight days ago that the two sides are in talks but no agreement was imminent. I mentioned at that time that I expect a six-year term, and I feel that McCutchen deserves $52MM or more based on comparable contracts.
jeremiah15y
25 years, and his first born!!!
55saveslives
Just rename the ballpark McCutchen Field
AmericanMovieFan
5 years/$45MM or 6 years/$60MM sounds fair.
Gumby65
He can really handcuff the Pirates if he has a ONE TEAM no-trade clause… for the Dodgers, who love sending prospects up the Allegheny.
Oh wait, nevermind; McCutcheon is better than the marginal players that LA demands in return…
j6takish
The entire future of this team is riding on McCutchen. The Pirates HAVE to lock him up, otherwise they may as well just give up now
wickedkevin
Thought they gave up in 1993
wholenewworld
McCutchen is very, very good. Not the 2nd coming. AND it’s not like the Pirates are going to lose control of him any time soon.
Smrtbusnisman04
He doens’t hit well with runners in scoring position, he’s not stealing as many bases, and he failed as the #3 hitter.
Andrew is an exciting player, but I think the team’s success is going to depend on Neil Walker or the pitching.
Threat_Level_RedSox
If the Pirates want to compete in the near future they need to lock McCutchen asap, He’s the first player in Pittsburg to have the raw ability to be the cornerstone/franchise player they’ve lacked since Bonds.
Mike Adamson
The Pirates have control of him for a long time but where a extension would help is in the attendance. I know a bunch of Pirate fans that are skeptical about ownership putting money into payroll. If we start spending they will come. However we need to be smart about it. McCutchen is a sure thing nobody else is yet. I think Morton and Mcdonald can be.
Dave_Gershman
Again, Denard Span’s deal is a more than ideal comparison. Give or take 5-800K more per year, his value is nearly identical to Spans when he signed. I can’t post the article, because I know you guys don’t want to set a precedent, but it explains all of this.
Lunchbox45
Mccutchen<<<<< Span
not to mention, Span's agent didn't exactly do a great job in getting Span money and opportunity.
Terrible starting point.
Dave_Gershman
McCuthchens WAR is exactly the same right nowndeom when Span signed his, similar defensive numbers, runs createf, baserunning numbers, etc.
Also WAR dollars suggest his worth as similar
Read the article
Lunchbox45
Mccutchen is 2 years younger with higher upside.
Mccutchen put up a 3.1 WAR season as a 22 year old in his first year in the majors.
Span had a 1.5 WAR season in 2010, a 1.8 WAR drop. Mccutchen has yet to have a decrease in WAR.
Span was 26 at the time of his extension, Mccutchen is 24.
Span’s 5 year 16.5 million dollar extension is a joke to Mccutchen, if you think he gets anywhere near that small of a deal you’re completely off your rocker . I don’t need to read the article..
Especially if you wrote it, you’re the same guy claiming Frenchy’s hot start is because of .11 point increase in his regular BABip
Dave_Gershman
Doesn’t seem like you know how to use WAR if you’re basing it on one year. Its cumulative and you base a contract on a 42, 55, and 85 percent increase for the first, second, and third year — so as I said, a 500-800K increase on the Span deal but for McCutchen would even out the deal. Thus also giving McCutch the increase based on his year younger age.
McCutchen had a 6.6 WAR through his first two years while being a worse defender than Span who was at 6.5
Lunchbox45
You can’t take age and experience out of the equation. .!
The younger you find success the more you are coveted, mccutchen’s ceiling is higher, how can you not see that?
How bout this.. If he gets a deal under 20 mil for 5 years I will write a post about how awesome you are.. If he gets more you never post on this site again, deal?
A
McCutchen has way more potential than Span. Jay Bruce is a much better comparison. The lack of hitting around McCutchen is a big factor in why he doesn’t drive in and score more runs.
Twinkilling61
McCutchen has more upside than Span though. Also, he’s better right now than Span so he should ask for more.
Bucs
I don’t like calling people names, but I love the idiots that say the Pirates have to lock Cutch up immediately. He can’t go anywhere for 4 years, period. A 5 year deal is nice but it is still only one free agency year. The important extension would be the potential second one. One that could eat a chunck of his free agency years.
bigsweens38
he’s a good player but people lets remember the guy is batting .230,i say lets see what he does this year and then go from there.
BeatEmBucs
3-4 night with two bombs…He’s about to turn it on.