Demilio: It Makes More Sense for Pirates to Bring Back Andrew McCutchen Than to End Tenure on Bad Terms
Several weeks ago, I looked at the case for and the case against the Pittsburgh Pirates bringing back Andrew McCutchen for the 2026 season.
Ultimately, I took the stance that McCutchen should be brought back for what would be his 13th season in Pittsburgh even if it meant a lesser role as a part-time or platoon DH and a spot outfielder when needed.
My stance remains the same after tensions between both parties hit an all-time high over the weekend.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was non-committal about bringing back McCutchen when asked by a fan at PiratesFest on Saturday. A few hours later, McCutchen responded with a post on Twitter/X that expressed clear and understandable frustration for a player not yet ready to call it a career.
There hasn’t been much to complain about from the Pirates this offseason. They swung a big trade to acquire All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe and two others from the Tampa Bay Rays, signed their first multi-year free agent in fellow 2025 All-Star Ryan O’Hearn and made several other additions.
But now the Pirates have ticked off a fan favorite and their most popular player of the 21st century. The good news for them is there’s an easy fix, even if they have to save face in the process.
Bring him back. Sign McCutchen to another one-year deal, which could be his last as he’ll turn 40 years old in October. No, McCutchen shouldn’t get everyday at-bats as a designated hitter, but he could still have a role on this team.
Though McCutchen isn’t the MVP-caliber player he was in 2013, he’s still proven he can be an effective player. Combined between his last three seasons since coming back to Pittsburgh, he owns a .242/.345/.391 batting line with 59 doubles, 45 home runs, 150 RBI and a 104 OPS+.
It’s true that 2025 was the worst statistical season of McCutchen’s career with a .700 OPS (95 OPS+). But it’s also true he hit .267 and had a .743 OPS against left-handed pitching.
Given that most of the fire-power in the Pirates’ lineup all bat from the left side of the plate — Spencer Horwitz, Oneil Cruz, Lowe, O’Hearn and Bryan Reynolds (switch-hitter), McCutchen would offer a right-handed complement against lefties. He can be in the lineup against left-handed starters and could pinch-hit late in games against lefty relievers.
Plus, it’s not like the bench is filled with more obvious talent than McCutchen. Looking at Roster Resource, the projected bench consists of Henry Davis, Nick Yorke, Jack Suwinski and Jhostynxon GarcĂa.
Davis will get one of those spots sharing time with Joey Bart behind the plate. A versatile infielder would also be needed. But Suwinski? I’d rather have McCutchen getting at-bats, and GarcĂa would be better served getting everyday at-bats with Triple-A Indianapolis rather than spotty playing time in the big leagues. If there were better alternatives, my stance might change.
McCutchen’s recent statements about his willingness to play the outfield add to my belief he should be brought back. Though it was a limited sample early in the season in 2025, he held his own in right field when filling in for Bryan Reynolds during an arm injury that kept him from playing the outfield.
But those are the on-field reasons. There are even more reasons to bring him back than between the white lines.
He’s been a leader in a clubhouse in need of one during the last three seasons. There’s no stat to measure a player’s leadership, but McCutchen would lead the team if there was.
But beyond that, no player has meant more to Pittsburgh and the Pirates since…? You can form your own opinions, but certainly this millennium.
The Pirates have their best chance of winning since McCutchen captained the ship that made it to Buctober three straight years from 2013-15. He deserves to be part of the team that is actually putting some effort into trying to get back there for the first time since.
I go back to what Bob Nutting said in 2023 after spearheading the efforts to bring him back. I’m paraphrasing, but the Pirates owner essentially said McCutchen should remain with the Pirates as long as he wants to.
Well, McCutchen wants to come back.
Is he a perfect fit given the 2026 roster construction? No, but he’s earned the right to be here and just as good — if not a better alternative — to some of the options who will fill out the position-player side of the 26-man roster.
McCutchen earned one more year in Pittsburgh. Might as well run it back.
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How high should they go to pay him? How little would he take?
It’s not about the $$. It’s about ABs for the best possible player. Or at least for development of guys who have proven themselves in AAA. Roster spots are sssooo precious! Can’t waste even one. Cutch is just too limited – just can’t afford for him to take a roster spot and 400+ ABs for 12 HRs and 40 RBIs. Just can’t do it. Sorry.
I guess they could make room for him. But it will mean blocking Flores and/or Garcia, who may show that they are MLB ready and have nothing left to prove at AAA. And these are the guys they gave up Bednar and Oviedo for. You want those trades to look good.
I have nothing but respect for Cutch and I would certainly rather see him on the roster than suwiffsky…I think that we’ve seen enough of that to know what it is…I’m just happy that we’re finally getting to the point where there are some hard decisions to make pertaining to the roster instead of just penciling it in and winging it…whatever happens I wish nothing but the best for Andrew and thank him for all the memories đź‘Ť
I love Andrew as a player as everyone else but it’s time to focus on trying to make the playoffs. Go sign Suarez to play third base and get a lefty starter. If Andrew would take 2 million to be part time DH and pinch hitter then take him back. But the focus should be on making the playoffs and that’s it.
Sacrificing the best season we can have to placate Cutch isn’t right. We need the best players we can get. Thank you Andrew, for everything. But unless you are the very best we can do, I say worrying about your feelings is not our job. And it’s not the Bucs either. They owe the fans the best season possible; they do not “owe” Cutch a contract.
His leadership has brought 3 straight losing seasons, he’s washed up & has been. Please stop with these articles. They have multiple better options right now for RH DH duty & the off-season hasn’t even come to a wrap yet. The media coverage on this subject is embarrassing.
A minor league contract that guarantees $5 million when he makes the team is the answer. This way they do not have to lose a player to roster him right away. If someone gets hurt and put on the 60 day no roster decision needed, if not it allows more time to work the roster out in other ways. This would be best way if the Bucs indeed want to retain Cutch and Cutch has to be able to see and accept such a deal for the good of the team.
Cutch is sounding more and more like an entitled crybaby who can’t face the cruel realty that time waits for no one. I’m a fan and always will be. But this is a bad look for a franchise icon. The Pirates owe you respect and gratitude. Nothing more. And you’re going to lose that with your disappointing antics.
The cheap Pirates need to apply that 5m to some free agent who can fill a needed role.
So can a player coach be considered a man on the roster?
Pirates aren’t in a position to sell nostalgia any longer. Sorry Cutch….great player/team-mate but, your time here should be over.