The Pirates have picked up their club option over outfielder Andrew McCutchen, per a club announcement. He’ll earn $14.5MM in the final year of his contract.
Meanwhile, the Bucs have declined their options over catcher Chris Stewart and lefty Wade LeBlanc. The team also adds that LeBlanc has been outrighted to Triple-A.
It comes as no surprise that Pittsburgh elected to retain McCutchen rather than paying a $1MM buyout. Stewart would have earned $1.5MM but will instead receive a $250K buyout. LeBlanc will take home a $50K buyout on his $1.25MM option.
McCutchen, 31, turned things around after a tepid start to the 2017 campaign. He ended the year with a .279/.363/.486 batting line with 28 long balls and 11 steals over 650 plate appearances. That didn’t represent a full bounce all the way to back to his prior, MVP-level output, but certainly constituted a turnaround after a worrying 2016 season.
The question remains though, whether the Bucs will end up keeping Cutch’s contract. He’ll be pursue by other organizations over the offseason, with the Pirates weighing a potential infusion of young talent against the loss of a high-quality and still-affordable player. Perhaps there’s still some faint possibility of the sides considering a new extension, but in truth that’s difficult to see happening.
Stewart could end up back in Pittsburgh on a minors deal, but won’t be retained as the backup catcher after turning in a woeful .183/.241/.221 slash line in 2017. The 33-year-old LeBlanc, a soft-tossing southpaw, was perhaps a bit unlucky to post a 4.50 ERA in his 68 frames, but did not show the Pirates enough for his contract to be guaranteed for another year. LeBlanc, who continued to post his typical reverse platoon splits, will have the righty to elect free agency.
Huntington must have spent many sleepless nights debating over this decision. Ok, now that the option is picked up, do they attempt to trade him this winter while his stock is up? If they wait until July they’re gambling.
If they wait until July they also decrease his value because he’d be a couple month rental rather than a whole season. How they handle him this off-season is what will reveal their plans for next season though.
I dont see the pirats doing anything but trying to contend on the strength of a bunch of bounceback candidates.
Agree
I’m thinking he’ll stay around. The backlash will be substantial as will the likely return on trade. This could change if Meadows is tearing it up by mid season.
McCutchen had a good year at the plate and played decent defense. That was a good call by Huntington. If he has a good start, he will be in demand come trading deadline.
You got to trade him now. Maximize his value rather than hoping he finds his swing again early in the season. Everyone knows this is coming and that Meadows is the CF of the future so it’s not like their is going to be tremendous surprise. This is a no win for the Pirates.
Meadows can’t stay healthy, and struggled at the plate last year. He’s not ready yet, and may not be until 2019
Pirates need to keep Cutch, and sign a 3B either Nunez or Frazier. Assume Jung Ho isn’t coming back and spend some money to get a replacement for him. If Jung Ho comes back he can either platoon with Mercer or Harrison. Sign a backend rotation guy like Cashner, or Chatwood, and lastly get some bullpen help. Not bullpen help like Hudson or another “project” guy.
Nuck….the Bucs will find another cast off instead of bidding with the market. There’s probably another project out there just waiting.
wow, legit surprised they let Chis and Wade go. Sure they didn’t have great seasons but pretty cheap to keep around
There are more concerns than the losers you are talking about. I think they should get rid of Marte as he don’t want to play baseball,and we need a right fielder.They need to use Frazer at second base to If we can get enough for Cole then I would trade him as he is not what they expected him