PITTSBURGH – Andrew McCutchen is returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team announced Monday morning. Sources informed the Post-Gazette that McCutchen was re-signed to a one-year, $5 million deal.
A 16-year MLB veteran, the Pirates selected McCutchen with the 11th pick in the 2005 MLB Draft. After making his MLB debut in 2009, the Fort Meade, Fla. native quickly established himself as not only the face of the franchise, but one of the most known names in the sport.
McCutchen’s first stint in Pittsburgh, which lasted nine seasons, included five All-Star selections, four silver sluggers, a Gold Glove in 2012, Roberto Clemente Award honors in 2015 and most notably, National League MVP honors in 2013. His strong production played a pivotal role in the Pirates ending a 20-year streak of losing seasons and reaching the playoffs in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
On Jan. 15, 2018, the Pirates traded McCutchen to the Giants for right-handed reliever Kyle Crick and minor league outfielder Bryan Reynolds, who of course developed into a two-time All-Star outfielder and remains the most productive hitter in Pittsburgh’s lineup. McCutchen played just half a season in San Francisco before being traded once again to the Yankees. He then played three seasons with the Phillies and one year with the Brewers before returning to Pittsburgh in 2023.
This offseason now marks the third year McCutchen has signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Pirates. While he is now far from the player he was a decade ago, it would be fair to label McCutchen as one of the best free-agent acquisitions Cherington has signed during his time in Pittsburgh. In both 2023 and 2024, the veteran slugger has provided above-league-average offense while also serving as a leader for a team filled with young, inexperienced players.
On a club that ended the season ranked in the bottom five of MLB in home runs (160), slugging (.371) and OPS (.672), McCutchen was one of the few regulars who held his own at the plate. In Year 16 of his big-league career, he led the Pirates with 58 walks, finished second in on-base percentage (.328) and third in hits (104), home runs (20), slugging (.411), total bases (184) and OPS+ (105).
Similar to the past two seasons, McCutchen is expected to be the Pirates’ primary designated hitter in 2025. The now 38-year-old has played just 13 games (nine starts) in the outfield over the past two years.
Durability has been the biggest challenge for McCutchen over the past two years. His 2023 season ended prematurely after partially tearing his left Achilles tendon in early September. Knee issues were the primary hindrance for McCutchen in 2024, who played in 120 games last season, eight more than the year prior.
“When he’s been healthy, and obviously we have to monitor that because he is 37, he’s had really good swings,” manager Derek Shelton said of McCutchen in September.
In addition to his consistent production, McCutchen’s experience proved valuable for the Pirates. His move to the leadoff spot in late April provided a much-needed spark to a lineup that had previously been held to four or fewer runs in eight of its last 11 games. McCutchen remained at the top of the Pirates batting order 80 of his next 83 starts. He then concluded the 2024 season hitting in the middle of the order, a spot where Shelton felt he could make best use of his “run producing skills.”
“Consistency is the father of learning,” McCutchen said. “If you can do something over and over, we are very regimented creatures where we have to be the same. And when we do everything the same, we feel better. … I’ve done it before.”
