Pittsburgh Pirates News: Re-signs fan favorite OF Andrew McCutchen

By Dan P. Hock

Andrew McCutchen in 2014. By Blackngold29 – Own work, CC0, https commons.wikimedia.org

The Pittsburgh Pirates during the current offseason re-signed five-time All-Star Andrew McCutchen to a one-year contract for the 2024 season.

McCutchen will enter the 2024 season just one home run shy of 300 in his career. McCutchen has hit 215 of his 299 career home runs as a member of the Pirates, which are the fourth-most in club history behind Willie Stargell (475), Ralph Kiner (301) and Roberto Clemente (240). He has also recorded 10-plus home runs in each of his first 15 MLB seasons, making him the only active player with double-digit home runs every season since 2009.

“In every discussion with Andrew, it was clear we both shared the same strong desire for him to remain a Pirate,” said Pirates Chairman, Bob Nutting. “He is a tremendous person, player and teammate. He is an all-time great Pirates player who represents our city with a deep sense of pride. His presence in our lineup and our clubhouse has had a significant impact on our young team. The way he plays the game on the field and carries himself in the community will continue to make all of us in the organization better.”

McCutchen hit .256 with 19 doubles, 12 home runs, 43 RBI, .378 OBP, .397 slugging percentage and .775 OPS in 112 games in his return to the Pirates during the 2023 campaign.

The long-time resident of the city of Pittsburgh collected his 2000th career hit last year on June 11, becoming the 12th player to record his 2000th career hit in a Pirates uniform and the first to do so since Willie Stargell in 1978.

The Pirates originally selected McCutchen with the 11th overall pick of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of Fort Meade (FL) High School.

McCutchen helped lead the Pirates to the playoffs from 2013-15 during his first stint with the team from 2009-17. He took home National League Most Valuable Player honors in 2013 while also being presented with the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award in 2015.

The Pirates will announce a corresponding 40-man roster move at a later time.

Posted in MLB