'It's still there': Franchise icon Andrew McCutchen re-signs with Pirates for 2025

Andrew McCutchen made no secret of his hope to return to the Pittsburgh Pirates, so the franchise icon only had to put a finger on his pulse to check to see if he still had the desire.

That was never in question as McCutchen made it clear he intends to finish his career where it started. The five-time All-Star and 2013 NL MVP agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract to play a 17th season in the majors and 12th with the Pirates, where he started his career and won four Silver Slugger awards, a Gold Glove and led the team to three consecutive wild-card playoff berths from 2013-15.

“It’s still there. I’m still excited,” McCutchen said on a video conference call. “I still do get excited to see the guys, to prepare for the season and get ready, and, ultimately, I think the biggest thing for me is knowing I can still compete and can still be able to produce, and I still feel like there’s a way that I can be better.

“And I know that it’s still in there. You’re always searching for it. You always feel like it’s there. You’re doing things, and I feel like that once that gets lost and go ‘That’s it. I think I’m good’, that’s when you’re good. I’m getting close to that, but I’m not there yet.”

https://t.co/eOWQcHOoBU pic.twitter.com/V6w0N4fj2e

— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) December 23, 2024

The 38-year-old designated hitter batted .232/.328/.411 with 18 doubles, 20 home runs and 50 RBIs in 120 games. It marked his 10th season with 20 or more home runs. McCutchen’s 235 homers as a Pirate trails Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente by five for third most in franchise history.

McCutchen also can move into the Pirates’ top five in RBIs, where his 818 are 35 behind Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, and could pass a pair of Hall of Famers in two other categories: His 1,667 hits trail Arky Vaughan by 43, and his 818 walks trail Honus Wagner by 59.

It is the third such deal between the Pirates and McCutchen, who signed as a free agent in January 2023 after a five-year hiatus that started with being traded to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Bryan Reynolds in 2018. He also played for the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. McCutchen repeatedly has said he wants to finish his career with the Pirates, who drafted him 11th overall in the first round in 2005.

“It was important for me and for everyone within our organization that Andrew remain in a Pirates uniform,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “It is where he belongs.”

McCutchen made his major-league debut in 2009. Over 16 MLB seasons, McCutchen has a career 49.3 wins above replacement, a .273/.367/.462 slash line with 429 doubles, 50 triples, 319 home runs and 1,095 RBIs.

McCutchen ranks second among active players in walks (1,116) and third in home runs and is within reach of passing several Pirates legends either in the Hall of Fame or about to be inducted. McCutchen needs 80 hits to pass Willie Stargell, 11 doubles to pass Clemente and 20 homers to pass Dave Parker, who was elected earlier this month.

“I think you’re talking about the best player in the history of the franchise over the last 30 years,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said in September. “I think it just speaks to how talented a player he is and has been throughout his career.”

Source: He’s back. pic.twitter.com/I2FqZJA2l9

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) December 23, 2024

McCutchen said longevity has been one of his goals, shaped by watching the careers of first-ballot Hall of Famers such as David Ortiz and Derek Jeter. Durability has been a cornerstone of his success, as McCutchen has played in all but the 2019 season, when he tore his ACL.

“I always wanted to be in a position to where I would be able to do the same thing and play for as long as I want or as long as my body would let me,” McCutchen said. “That was pretty much the plan. I’ve had some hiccups here the last couple of years, physically. I’ve been able to be blessed enough by still being in pretty good shape and still be able to do it.”

While switching from everyday outfielder to DH was an adjustment, the 5-foot-10 McCutchen didn’t mince words when explaining why he feels more prepared to deal with injuries, from the season-ending partial tear of his left Achilles tendon in September 2023 to the left quadriceps strain that required a stint on the 10-day injured list last August.

“I think I was too heavy last year,” McCutchen said, noting that he played at 200 pounds. “I think the weight that I was carrying was too much. Then being a DH on top of that, coming back from an Achilles injury and carrying around 200 pounds. I think that was too heavy for me. I don’t need to be there.”

McCutchen plans to play at 190-195 pounds this season and believes being lighter will lessen the load on his legs. He’s also learning when to “turn it off and turn it on” while running the basepaths to reduce wear and tear and prevent injuries.

“If I can do that, I do think it can keep me on the field and I can be in the lineup for 120-plus games because I do feel like I can produce,” McCutchen said. “I learned some things with my swing at this age, my approach, and it’s helped me big time and I feel like that’s something I can maintain.”

McCutchen has maintained his popularity with Pirates fans in his second stint with the team, something his children have been able to witness when fans approach asking for autographs or photos.

“The kids, they do understand a little bit with me being a baseball player. They understand what I’m able to do and what I’m capable of,” McCutchen said. “I’m always happy to be able to be back and play. Just to get that time with them, and they’ve been able to see me wearing a Pirates uniform. It’s been great. I just want them to be around it as much as they can. Being out there on the field with me more and during batting practice. I’m looking forward to stuff like that.”