*Photo from Section 215*
Andrew McCutchen is returning to the NL Central, but it's not in Pittsburgh. McCutchen and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a one year, $8.5 million deal, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The Brewers have confirmed the deal.
McCutchen achieved most of his career success while in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform, wreaking havoc on the Brewers and the rest of the NL Central. Over 9 years in Pittsburgh, McCutchen amassed all 5 of his all star game appearances, which were all in a row, all 4 of his sliver slugger awards, also in a row, and the 2013 NL MVP award.
In Milwaukee, McCutchen figures to get a good amount of at bats at DH, while also filling in around the corner outfield spots when necessary, as the Brewers already have a starting 3 outfield picture. McCutchen could occasionally spot Christian Yelich in left field on certain occasions, after playing 131 games in left last season.
Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said of McCutchen's role that "I think he's going to see time at DH. I think that's probably the primary spot where he's going to get plate appearances. And then I imagine there's also going to be times where we're using the corner outfield. The DH gives us some flexibility to add an additional offensive player. That's what we've done here. This probably isn't a clean fit without the designated hitter."
Last season, with the Philadelphia Phillies, McCutchen hit for a .222 average, with a .444 slugging percentage and .778 OPS, hitting 27 home runs and driving in 80 runs, playing 144 games for the Phillies, who finished in second place in the NL East.
In McCutchen's 13 major league seasons, split between 4 teams, he has a .280 average with a .476 slugging percentage and .849 OPS, hitting 270 home runs with 933 RBI's in 1,761 regular season games. In the playoffs, McCutchen has a .239 average with a .600 OPS, with no home runs and one RBI in 13 games.
With the Brewers, McCutchen likely becomes the team's 4th outfielder, with Yelich starting in left field, Lorenzo Cain in center, and Hunter Renfroe in right, with McCutchen and Tyrone Taylor competing for reps off the bench.
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