Rumor: Twins Offered McCutchen Same Money - and Mets Offered More - But He Chose to "Go Home"

[Brock Beauchamp]

It was widely known that Andrew McCutchen was sought after as a righty bat that could play a decent corner outfield - even in his older, diminished state from earlier stardom - but after a long career that saw him play in San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee - it appears he just wanted to go home to Pittsburgh.

Which makes a lot of sense given how he came up through the Pirates system and thrived there during his prime seasons, becoming one of the best players in baseball. To add a "farewell tour" vibe to the equation, Buster Olney of ESPN pointed this out earlier today:

Quote

A summer of milestones is likely ahead for McCutchen, who needs 52 more hits to achieve 2,000 in his career, eight more doubles to reach 400 and 13 more homers to reach 300.

It would have been nice to see McCutchen fill a badly-needed void in the Twins roster but it's hard to argue with that reasoning.

 

View full rumor

[Nashvilletwin]

Played our cards on Gallo….

[Matt Braun]

Can't be mad at all. It's much better for baseball to have Cutch back as a pirate.

[CRF]

Can't fault him at all for doing that. More power to him and hope it works out. 

[Rosterman]

I still don't like the Gallo signing. Paid too much. This would've been interesting.

[Brock Beauchamp]

58 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

I still don't like the Gallo signing. Paid too much. This would've been interesting.

At this point, Gallo's upside is astronomically higher than McCutchen's upside. I didn't really like the Gallo signing - particularly the way the offseason was going at that point - but I watched 100 games of McCutchen last season. I have little interest in seeing him play more.

[wsnydes]

I can't really blame him for this.  He spent a long time in that organization.

And as @Brock Beauchampeluded to, he doesn't have much left in the tank.  I don't think he'd be a good fit here.

[Vanimal46]

I like reunion stories for players on their last legs in the MLB. Good for McCutchen to go back to where it all started for him. 

[Valdespino]

Padres signed Nelson Cruz for 1 year at $1 million.  Weren’t the Twins interested? Right handed bat, might have helped us out.

[bap3141]

It doesn't bother me missing out on Cutch.  He's not what he once was, by a long shot.  However, I do like the idea of him returning to Pittsburgh.  That team doesn't have a lot to cheer for these days, aside from a 5,000 mph rocket off the bat of Oneil Cruz.

Good for them.  Now give us Bryan Reynolds. ?  Or don't.  I don't care, really.  

Trey Mancini anyone? 

[bap3141]

2 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

At this point, Gallo's upside is astronomically higher than McCutchen's upside. I didn't really like the Gallo signing - particularly the way the offseason was going at that point - but I watched 100 games of McCutchen last season. I have little interest in seeing him play more.

Maybe I am just in a better mood now that the Twins got Correa, but the signing doesn't bother me that much.  He was the top left fielder available, based on WAR.  My vitriol on the move was that it CANNOT be THE signature move of the off-season.  If he rebounds anywhere close to what he was, you're looking at a .350 OBP bat with 35 - 40 HR and strong defense.  And he has every incentive in the world to do so, because it's a one year deal.

I'm not a fan, but the signing doesn't bother me in the least.  Losing out on Correa -- twice -- THAT bothered me, 

[PseudoSABR]

That the Twins offered this money to him, tells us the outfield situation is unsettled. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

8 hours ago, bap3141 said:

Maybe I am just in a better mood now that the Twins got Correa, but the signing doesn't bother me that much.  He was the top left fielder available, based on WAR.  My vitriol on the move was that it CANNOT be THE signature move of the off-season.  If he rebounds anywhere close to what he was, you're looking at a .350 OBP bat with 35 - 40 HR and strong defense.  And he has every incentive in the world to do so, because it's a one year deal.

I'm not a fan, but the signing doesn't bother me in the least.  Losing out on Correa -- twice -- THAT bothered me, 

Oh, the Gallo signing irks me far less in the wake of the Correa signing. It was a fine move - basically use Gallo to replace Kepler and then dish Max for something else. But in that moment, it felt like the front office was just spending money because they had money. Thankfully the biggest free agent circus in history came to town and they were able to do something with the rest of that money.

[Doctor Gast]

Very happy for Cutch & the Pirates, it's good for the game. Hope he has a record year to go out on. Pirates may surprise you this year.

[jmlease1]

11 hours ago, Valdespino said:

Padres signed Nelson Cruz for 1 year at $1 million.  Weren’t the Twins interested? Right handed bat, might have helped us out.

He looks more cooked than McCutchen, unfortunately. Was pretty bad last season, struggled in the half season after leaving MN for TB the year before, can only play DH...$1M isn't much risk, but the Twins don't really have the roster spots and the upside seems low.

McCutchen would have been a reasonable fit, but also might not have that much left in the tank. I do think he's got more than Cruz and can still play the field.

[Riverbrian]

9 hours ago, PseudoSABR said:

That the Twins offered this money to him, tells us the outfield situation is unsettled. 

If this rumor is true it surely does tell us a lot. 

If McCutcheon would have signed with the Twins. There would have to be a next move and there isn't really a comfortable player to move off the current 40 man. 

40 man balance would suggest that we would be a little over stocked with OF. 

It's got me getting prepped for trade in the future. 

 

 

[nicksaviking]

I’m not thrilled that the team seems deadset on filling the outfield with aging and/or declining vets. 

[farmerguychris]

10 hours ago, PseudoSABR said:

That the Twins offered this money to him, tells us the outfield situation is unsettled. 

I think it is obvious that it is unsettled.  Other than Celistino, who should be in AAA, we have no other right handed bats do we (not counting Buxton).  

[cHawk]

Good for McCutchen. No offense to him but he wouldn’t have been able to help the Twins win this year, therefore this outcome works well for everyone.

[nicksaviking]

27 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

I think it is obvious that it is unsettled.  Other than Celistino, who should be in AAA, we have no other right handed bats do we (not counting Buxton).  

The right handed options aren’t very attractive, I’d rather go with the left handed young players. If they really want another righty, it should be a bench guy. Not a guy who is on his last legs but will be expected to start.

They have to start finding room for the young bats, it shouldn’t only be Miranda. 

[farmerguychris]

1 minute ago, nicksaviking said:

The right handed options aren’t very attractive, I’d rather go with the left handed young players. If they really want another righty, it should be a bench guy. Not a guy who is on his last legs but will be expected to start.

They have to start finding room for the young bats, it shouldn’t only be Miranda. 

I could look - but maybe you already know.... Are there any young right handed players nearly ready in our system?  

[bap3141]

3 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Oh, the Gallo signing irks me far less in the wake of the Correa signing. It was a fine move - basically use Gallo to replace Kepler and then dish Max for something else. But in that moment, it felt like the front office was just spending money because they had money. Thankfully the biggest free agent circus in history came to town and they were able to do something with the rest of that money.

Exactly my thoughts as well.  Glad we had you on this forum to keep the hope alive this last round. ?

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, farmerguychris said:

I could look - but maybe you already know.... Are there any young right handed players nearly ready in our system?  

No. That’s why if they insist on another RH outfielder, it should be a bench bat, not a starter.

[JD-TWINS]

13 hours ago, PseudoSABR said:

That the Twins offered this money to him, tells us the outfield situation is unsettled. 

The offer to McCuthen screams “……Celestino is not the answer, near term nor long term…..” Can’t be more happy that the FO concedes that!!!!!!

Glad the FO is still active!!

Gordon - Buxton - Gallo for our basic outfield with Larnach - Gordon - Gallo seeing lots of action against righties (Buxton  in ‘23. We really could use a guy to spell Gallo against lefty starters. I’ve noticed in some comments over last week that Farmer may play some OF…….I live in Cinti & don’t recall that? I’d be good with that as it may open us to a RH batting DH vs. outfielder.

RH Soler from Miami as part of the pitching trades?

RH Duvall off the FA market?

[JD-TWINS]

Can’t say we paid “too much” for Gallo. The fact that we signed him AT ALL instead of letting Walner have his innings or hanging on to Kepler for continuity is what’s disturbing. If he has mild success, 22HR & .220 BA good defense in 125 games, it’s a bit more upside than Kepler due to the power in less innings. I think Walner could be comparable as a rookie BUT if Gallo wakes up, he may hit .235 with 35 HRs. Anyway, the fact that we took the risk & signed him period is the scary thing - if he performs at all to his potential, $11 million is a normal salary.

Gordon - Buxton - Gallo - Larnach - (???? Right Handed Bat)……FA? who’s the guy, assuming it’s not Celestino?

Farmer - Miranda - Kirilof - Arraez - Polanco - Correa

Jeffers - Vazquez

Trade:

Kepler - Young Farm infielder (not Lee nor Lewis) - Celestino - maybe Kirilof for the Marlins pitcher we can pry away….. Luzardo maybe? Don’t know if Kirilof is tradable with his wrist issues…..I think he’s the easiest guy NOT TO MISS. Need to make this trade happen before the assets are gone from Miami to other suitors.

[Shaitan]

On 1/13/2023 at 11:27 PM, PseudoSABR said:

That the Twins offered this money to him, tells us the outfield situation is unsettled. 

Or they needed that "veteran clubhouse presence" and thought Correa was off the table.

I view vets at that stage of their career more as a clubhouse role than a position on the field.

Yes, I grew up in the DH era, haha.

[Trov]

My wife is a Pirates fan, so I follow them as kind of a secondary team, and their ownership and FO is worse than what we have been dealing with in the past.  That being said, I know Cutch never wanted to leave Pirates, even if they would have been losing I believe he would have stayed with them.  I am not surprised he returned, knowing he will get regular playing time, and will get to return to his team.  Good for him, not that he needed a few more million. 

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Trov said:

My wife is a Pirates fan, so I follow them as kind of a secondary team, and their ownership and FO is worse than what we have been dealing with in the past.  That being said, I know Cutch never wanted to leave Pirates, even if they would have been losing I believe he would have stayed with them.  I am not surprised he returned, knowing he will get regular playing time, and will get to return to his team.  Good for him, not that he needed a few more million. 

Yeah, Pittsburgh has the worst ownership in the league. It's nice the McCutchen got to go where he wanted. It's an absolute travesty that ownership never put an effort into actually being a contender when he was in his prime and the team was competitive. They made the playoffs each year from 2013-15. They ranked 20th, 27th and 25th in payrolls those years. Makes no sense why the other owners allow Pittsburgh to share revenue when they refuse to use it on their payroll.

[Steve Montbriand]

i am happy we at least made an attempt to sign him. Excellent player.

[Johnny Ringo]

I love Nellie but I think the FO has arrived at the spot where the full-time DH doesn't make much sense anymore, particularly on this team where Buxton and Correa need time out of the field and Arraez is best leaving his glove at home. Also, Cruz has had a magic career but Father Time seems to be waiting for him. 

The Cutch move seems good for him and good for the game. If the Pirates can catch 10% of the Pujols 2022 magic it will provide some boost to their box office.