Andrew McCutchen appears at PirateFest, but future remains uncertain
In a scenario destined to be awkward, All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen appeared at PirateFest on Saturday amid rumors that he was nearly traded to the Washington Nationals during the Winter Meetings.
Always a professional, McCutchen fulfilled the duties asked and expected of him. That included a lengthy morning autograph session, along with a media session that likely felt ten times longer.
There was no dancing around the issue on either side. The reporters fired away with questions on McCutchen’s feelings about his future, the team’s future and how the rumors have impacted him personally. McCutchen, for his part, didn’t shy away from addressing the situation. He did so honestly, and perhaps with an edge.
From the outside looking in, it felt like McCutchen was understanding and even accepting of the Pirates position, but irked that a resolution was not reached and could potentially linger. He wasn’t outwardly critical, of course. That’s not his style. But it can’t be easy being stuck in limbo.
The other feeling that was evident was that McCutchen is clearly motivated to prove his worth. A fire has been lit, which could prove beneficial to whichever team employs him in 2017.
Here are some of McCutchen’s more notable quotes from the event:
On being motivated in 2017:
Is Andrew McCutchen going to be motivated in 2017? "Motivated? I don't even know there's quite a word to look for. Something a lot greater."
— Travis Sawchik (@Sawchik_Trib) December 10, 2016
On his health in 2016 and whether it impacted a down season:
McCutchen asked again if he was injured in 2016: "I just didn't have it. I had nagging injuries … There wasn't anything that hindered me."
— Travis Sawchik (@Sawchik_Trib) December 10, 2016
On the trade rumors:
#Pirates McCutchen: "I was on edge. I didn’t know what to expect. I am glad to be here, still wearing No. 22 on my back."
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) December 10, 2016
#Pirates McCutchen re: trade rumors: "I’d be lying if I told you none of this bothered me. Of course it did. I’m human."
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) December 10, 2016
On his Pirates’ future:
I asked McCutchen if he thinks he still could end his career with Pirates. "I don't know if that can happen." pic.twitter.com/4SZU6yW0Rp
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) December 10, 2016
McCutchen: "I didn’t get any assurances other than I’m in this uniform as of right now. As far as (2018) or (trade deadline), I don’t know."
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) December 10, 2016
Have #Pirates ever offered McCutchen an extension? "No." Might they still? "No clue." He added he would be open to an offer.
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) December 10, 2016
Even without hearing his voice, you can still sense a mix of resignation and frustration. It’s obviously been a long few weeks, and that doesn’t figure to change based on what we heard from Pirates president Frank Coonelly on Saturday.
Could #Pirates extend McCutchen? Coonelly: "We’re looking forward to having Andrew with us for as long as Andrew is with us." So, um …
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) December 10, 2016
It would be understandable if McCutchen was seeking some degree of reassurance or clarity from the team, whether it be a commitment to him or to trade him. Based on quotes like that though his future is no more clear today than it has been since early October. If this is consistent with what McCutchen is hearing, then it will be very interesting to see how strong this relationship can be moving forward.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
