For months we’ve been hearing news that the Giants and Pirates have been involved in trade discussions regarding outfielder Andrew McCutchen. On Monday those discussions apparently came to a head, with the Giants agreeing to a trade for the former NL MVP, pending a review of medical records, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. It is unclear at this point what the Giants are giving up in return.
#SFGiants have agreed to acquire Andrew McCutchen from the #Pirates, pending a review of medical records, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 15, 2018
McCutchen, 31, gives the Giants an everyday outfielder they sorely need and power from the right side of the plate. The five-time All-Star hit 28 home runs last season while posting a slash line of .279/.363/.486. McCutchen has hit more than 20 home runs in each of the past five seasons.
McCutchen joins Evan Longoria as the second monster name the Giants have acquired this offseason after losing 98 games in 2017. Unlike Longoria who is under contract until 2023, McCutchen is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after next season, where he is due $14.5 million.
McCutchen has spent his entire nine-year career with the Pirates since being drafted in the first-round in 2005. McCutchen has played in centerfield the vast majority of his career, and is expected to fill that void for the Giants, who sent Denard Span to Tampa Bay in the Evan Longoria trade. There is also a possibility that McCutchen could move and play in right field, depending on the team’s plan for Hunter Pence.