The Pittsburgh Pirates are considering the possibility of re-signing Andrew McCutchen, a player who has dedicated 12 out of his 18 seasons in Major League Baseball to the team. Back in August, McCutchen expressed his desire to return for another season wearing the iconic black-and-gold uniform. He acknowledged the challenges he faced during the 2025 season, stating, "I have to do what I need to do to…show that I was able to have a good year and still can play the following year." He emphasized that he does not want to simply occupy a roster spot without making a meaningful contribution.
As McCutchen approaches his 39th birthday, speculation about his market value has been minimal, with many fans believing that the Pirates remain his only potential option. At the recent PiratesFest fan event, General Manager Ben Cherington addressed questions about McCutchen's future, explaining that the team is in the process of finalizing its roster before determining McCutchen's role. Cherington praised McCutchen’s contributions to the franchise, noting, "Andrew has meant a ton to the team. He’s had an incredible run at two different times. Certainly his legacy as a Pirate is secure."
Cherington further expressed the team's commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with McCutchen, saying, "Everybody with the Pirates, it’s our desire to maintain a really good relationship with Andrew well into the future. Then we come back to our team. What is the job? The job is to build a team that gives us the best chance to win games when you’re at the ballpark in June and July…. Our approach this offseason has been laser-focused on what gives us the best chance to win more baseball games in Pittsburgh than we have in the past seasons. That’s gonna continue to guide our decisions."
McCutchen wrapped up the 2025 season with a batting line of .239/.333/.367, including 13 home runs over 551 plate appearances, leading to a wRC+ of 95. This marked only the second occasion in his illustrious career where his wRC+ fell below the league average of 100. Additionally, while many of his Statcast metrics were mediocre, he did boast a commendable 12.2% walk rate.
These statistics raise concerns, particularly for a designated hitter, as McCutchen has primarily played that role in recent seasons—only participating in 20 outfield games during his three-year return to Pittsburgh. The Pirates seem to have already filled the designated hitter position by signing Ryan O'Hearn, who might alternate with Spencer Horwitz at first base and designated hitter.
O'Hearn’s flexibility allows him to also play in the corner outfield spots, and since both O'Hearn and Horwitz are left-handed hitters, there could be room for McCutchen as a right-handed bat, although he may be limited to specific matchups against left-handed pitchers. However, Cherington indicated that the Pirates are still exploring ways to enhance their roster. If it comes down to choosing between McCutchen and a younger, more versatile player, the latter option could very well be more appealing to the team.
Enhancing offensive capabilities has been the primary focus for the Pirates this offseason. With the addition of players like O'Hearn, Brandon Lowe, Jhostynxon Garcia, and Jake Mangum, the team hopes to elevate both the ceiling and floor of their offensive performance. Moreover, a resurgence from players such as Bryan Reynolds or Oneil Cruz—who underperformed in 2025—would be incredibly beneficial. Despite McCutchen's unremarkable numbers last season, his 95 wRC+ still positioned him as the fourth-best hitter among all Pirates players, highlighting the overall struggles of the team's lineup.
If McCutchen were anyone else, it might be a foregone conclusion that the Pirates would part ways with an aging designated hitter. Nevertheless, severing ties with a franchise legend is not something Cherington, nor likely owner Bob Nutting, wishes to do unless it becomes absolutely necessary, or if McCutchen chooses to retire on his own terms. McCutchen's return to the Pirates prior to the 2023 season was driven by his wish to contribute to a new era of success for the franchise, yet the team has struggled through seven consecutive losing seasons and has not fully emerged from rebuilding mode.
Achieving at least a winning record, and potentially securing a playoff spot with McCutchen still on the roster, would be a dream scenario for everyone involved. Notably, McCutchen's previous three one-year contracts with the Pirates were finalized earlier in the offseason than this date, January 24. However, there remains ample opportunity for both parties to negotiate a deal before Spring Training commences.
