Pirates reunite with McCutchen on one year deal

*Photo from NBC 15*

   Pittsburgh, he's coming back to where it all began. OF Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a one year, $5 million contract, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. The deal has been confirmed by the Pirates.

   McCutchen is coming back on the heels of a 2022 season spent with the Milwaukee Brewers. He ended the season with a .237 batting average and .700 OPS, hitting 17 home runs with 8 stolen bases and 69 RBI's in 134 games of action for the Brewers.

   Since being drafted by the Pirates with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft, McCutchen was the face of the Pirates up until being traded prior to the 2018 season. McCutchen has a stretch of 5 straight all star game appearances from 2011-2015, has the 2013 NL MVP award, 4 silver sluggers, a gold glove, and he helped the Pirates make the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years in 2013.

   Before the 2018 season, McCutchen was dealt to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Kyle Crick and Bryan Reynolds. In the Pirates outfield, Reynolds will be patrolling center field, with McCutchen on one of the corners in 2023, barring a trade of Reynolds.

   McCutchen has played for the Pirates, Giants, Brewers, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies in the course of his 14 year career. He has a .277 batting average and .838 OPS, blasting 287 home runs with 1,002 RBI's in 1,895 games played. He's played in 13 playoff games, mustering one RBI with a .600 OPS.

   Entering this season, McCutchen has the chance to hit the 2,000 hit, 1,000 walk, 400 double, and 300 home run milestones, sitting at 1,948 hits, 983 walks, 392 doubles, and 287 home runs. 43 players in baseball history have hit all 4 milestones, with Joey Votto and Miguel Cabrera being the only active players.

   The signing of McCutchen continues an offseason full of veteran additions for the Pirates. McCutchen, Rich Hill, Carlos Santana, Vince Velasquez, Ji-Man Choi, and Austin Hedges are the veterans signed by the Pirates this offseason.