At this very moment, there seems to be no hotter topic in Pittsburgh sports than Andrew McCutchen’s contract.
It’s easy to understand why. Rightfully lauded as a masterstroke by general manager Neal Huntington, McCutchen’s contract extension is often served up as an example of a forward-thinking front office. It represents the very hope of fans that the team will continue to do right by them and at least explore the possibility of another extension for the perennial MVP candidate.
For his part, McCutchen has indicated several times throughout the years that his desire to stay in Pittsburgh is legitimate. Those thoughts resurfaced recently.
“I would love to have to not worry about where I’m going to end up or where else am I going to go. I want to create history here,” McCutchen said, as told to local media.
What McCutchen may not know is that the fight to keep him may not be a battle between his agent and Pirates brass, but rather within the club itself.
Pirates chairman and principal owner Bob Nutting met with reporters yesterday for his yearly spring press conference. The presser was wide-ranging, from discussing the impending MLB collective bargaining agreement expiration to the Pirates’ off-season. Of course, McCutchen’s name came up.
“We are committed to try to find an opportunity,” Nutting told reporters. “There is no one who we’d like to have for a career in a Pirates uniform more than Andrew.”
Yesterday, 93.7 The Fan’s Dan Zangrilli posited an interesting idea during a radio appearance. He believes that Bob Nutting may in fact go beyond his previously seen comfort levels to keep McCutchen a Pirate. I happen to agree with him.
Citing Nutting’s deep desire to shed the “cheap” label his organization has been saddled with, Zangrilli’s reasoning is sound. McCutchen is easily the face of the franchise. He is the singular player most strongly identified with the team’s recent rebirth. The timing will never be better to send a firm message to fans that with this player, it will be different.
There’s just one problem with giving McCutchen a blank check.
Huntington may be against it.
McCutchen will be 31 when his current contract expires. For a front office that prides itself on shrewd moves, it’s not illogical to think that Huntington may balk at signing any player at that age to a long-term extension. Any potential extension would last at least five years. Making a significant investment in any position player through their mid-30s would give any front office pause. Huntington has spent considerable time and resources in building up the team’s pipeline. Giving McCutchen more years as a Pirate could waylay a system that has been painstakingly built to withstand the loss of MVP-caliber talent.
Though many fans may believe that the battle to keep McCutchen a Pirate comes down to money, the decision may in fact be decided by purely on-the-field considerations.
