According to numerous sources, the Pittsburgh Pirates are actively trying to trade outfielder Andrew McCutchen. We have heard before that they were listening to offers on the outfielder, including talks during the trade deadline with the Washington Nationals, but sources say that the Pirates are now aggressively pursuing a trade partner.
Stephen Nesbitt wrote that the Pirates have discussed a McCutchen trade with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and the Washington Nationals. Nesbitt says that the Pirates are primarily looking for prospects in any deal. Bill Brink also notes that the Pirates are asking teams about outfielders in case McCutchen is traded. We have also heard that Josh Harrison could be moved and Tony Watson, who has one year left on his contract, could be another possible trade candidate, so the outfielder may return in a separate deal.
McCutchen has two years left on his current contract, getting paid $14M in 2017, followed by a club option for $14.75M in 2018. The Pirates could wait to see if he regains some value, after a down season in 2016, but it appears they are willing to use the two years remaining to maximize their return instead.
In the short-term without McCutchen, they could use Josh Bell in right field and Starling Marte in center field, with Gregory Polanco shifting to left field. That would allow them to bide time while Austin Meadows gets in more reps at Triple-A. Once Meadows joins Polanco and Marte in the same outfield, the Pirates will have three strong defensive players who should all provide solid offense and speed. They will also all be under team control until at least the end of the 2021 season when Marte’s current deal runs out.
