Giants acquire OF McCutchen

SAN FRANCISCO » The Giants found the outfielder they were looking for this winter, acquiring Andrew McCutchen from Pittsburgh on Monday to fill a key void.

San Francisco parted with right-hander Kyle Crick, minor league outfielder Bryan Reynolds and $500,000 in international signing bonus allocation. The Pirates also sent $2.5 million to the Giants to cover part of McCutchen’s $14.75 million salary.

“It’s no secret that we were looking to further add run production to our lineup,” said Brian Sabean, Giants executive vice president of baseball operations. “Anytime you have the opportunity to bring aboard someone with such a track record, you have to jump on it.”

The 31-year-old McCutchen, a former NL MVP and long the face of the Pirates’ franchise, became the second star jettisoned by Pittsburgh in three days. Ace Gerrit Cole was traded to Houston on Saturday.

“Pittsburgh.My Home. My Fans.My City,” McCutchen tweeted . “You will 4ever be in my heart.”

McCutchen added: “Now...I’m a Giant! Ive always enjoyed watching the success of the (at)SFGiants and I look foward to being apart of more this season. Can’t wait to meet my new teammates and fans. This is just the beginning.”

Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said the trade was “one of the most emotionally agonizing decisions that we have had to make in my tenure.”