Pirates could be active as MLB meets
merely an All-Star center fielder or a Pittsburgh sports icon, McCutchen’s talent and charisma, plus the way his ascent coincided — and spurred — the Pirates’ three consecutive trips to the playoffs, has made him to one of the game’s most recognizable figures. While the Pirates have initiated trade talks rather than simply fielding requests, an industry source said the club doesn’t feel it has to trade him.
But they might trade him. With two years left on his contract at well below market value, and coming off a strong final two months of 2016, his value might never be higher. They could wait and trade him next summer, hoping his performance mirrors the previous five years rather than the four- month struggle that was the beginning of this past year. But continued regression could dent his value, and every game he isn’t playing for his new team slightly lessens what they will give the Pirates in return.
The Pirates and Washington Nationals have had discussions, and the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers have expressed interest. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers were interested as well.
It won’t be all McCutchen. The Pirates need a starter, probably two, and have told other teams they would like to acquire a veteran. Rich Hill, Derek Holland, C.J. Wilson, Jason Hammel and Brett Anderson remain available on the freeagent market that now should see more action after the agreement on the new collective bargaining agreement.
The starting pitching free-agent class is weak, and that has been reflected by the signings already completed. Edinson Volquez led the AL in earned runs this past year and had a 5.37 ERA, but got two years and $22 million from the Miami Marlins. Charlie Morton made four starts for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 before missing the rest of the season because of a torn hamstring, but the Houston Astros gave him two years and $14 million.
The non-tender deadline Friday produced two more notable free agents: Right- handers Tyson Ross, a previously productive pitcher who had surgery in October to address thoracic outlet syndrome, and Rubby De La Rosa, one year removed from a full year in the Arizona Diamondbacks rotation.
The subpar free-agent class should spur an active trade market. If the Pirates end up trading McCutchen, they could seek a pitcher in return. The Nationals, specifically, have four good young starters — Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Joe Ross (Tyson’s brother) and A.J. Cole. The Pirates likely won’t part with what it would take to get Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox or take on Justin Verlander’s salary from the Tigers, but they could try for Drew Smyly, Alex Cobb or Jake Odorizzi from the Tampa Bay Rays.
With four left-handers in their bullpen, the Pirates have told teams they are open to dealing one of them. They could ask for more in return for Tony Watson, but prefer to move Antonio Bastardo. Both are a year away from free agency. The Pirates have indicated to other teams that they will pay down some of Bastardo’s $6.5 million salary.
Other teams also have heard that the Pirates have some money to spend. If they retain all of their arbitration-eligible players, their payroll commitments for 2017 will be around $90 million.
They opened this past season with a $100.3 million payroll, according to Associated Press calculations.