Andrew McCutchen Believes Pittsburgh Pirates Poised For Better Days

At first glance, it would appear to be the Andrew McCutchen Farewell Tour.

The 36-year-old oufielder is returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates five years after being traded to the San Francisco Giants. The Pirates signed McCutchen to a one-year, $5-million contract earlier this month in free agency.

However, McCutchen who has continued to live in Pittsburgh since being traded, insists he isn’t returning to the Pirates to finish his career. McCutchen believes the franchise can turn things around after finishing last in the National League for four consecutive seasons.

The five-time All-Star bases his belief on a three-game series the Pirates swept from the Milwaukee Brewers last Aug. 2-4 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

McCutchen was playing for the Brewers, who led the National League Central by three games when the series started. However, the sweep – and the trade of closer Josh Hader the day before the series began – sent the Brewers into a tailspin.

The Brewers ended up missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

“I was on a good team. Poised to make it to the playoffs. Poised to win the division,” McCutchen said. “That didn’t pan out, and part of the reason it didn’t is because we didn’t beat that ballclub over there. Couldn’t beat ’em. I honestly believe it. I was watching them score them in, (and thought) it’s a good ball club. If they weren’t good, they wouldn’t beat us.”

The Pirates’ 62-100 record last season indicates they didn’t beat many teams. In fact, Pittsburgh is 142-242 in three seasons since general manager Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton took over and began a major rebuilding project.

Yet McCutchen insists the record is an aberration. He believes the Pirates’ young group of talent can mix with the veterans who have been acquired in the offseason to form a good team this upcoming season.

“People can look at the record and say, ‘oh they lost 100 games,’ but I don’t believe in that,” he said. “Just because it says that doesn’t mean they’re a 100-loss ball club. I truly believe that they’re not.

“It’s about the backend of the bullpen closing things down. It’s about plating the runs, playing small ball. It’s about all these things that lead to being able to win. I understand, as a club, we’re going to have to do all the small things right to be consistent, pick each other up. That can lead to the success of the ballclub, and I truly believe that this club can do that.”

There is an air of optimism around the Pirates heading into spring training.

In addition to McCutchen, the Pirates have also signed left-hander Rich Hill, right-hander Vince Velazquez, lefty reliever Jarlin Garcia, catcher Austin Hedges and designated hitter Carlos Santana as free agents. First baseman Ji-Man Choi and infielder/outfielder Connor Joe were acquired in trades.

That might not be a clear indication the rebuilding is over in Pittsburgh. However, it is an indication the project is getting closer to the finish line.

“It was time to add players,” Shelton said. “We had the opportunity, especially last year – we used what? 68 players – to give (young players) at-bats, give them innings that can replicate major league experience. The gap between Triple-A and the big leagues is the biggest it’s ever been. So, getting the major league reps was important but now it was time for the ’23 season — and ’24, ’25, ’26 — to add players.

“These guys are still good players, and they are going to help us on the field but also help us in the clubhouse, Now, we’re to the point where some of these young players are taking steps forward and the veterans are going to be helpful.”