Pirates bring back former NL MVP on one-year deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates are bringing back one of the most popular players in franchise history for one more season, agreeing to terms with veteran Andrew McCutchen on Tuesday. According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, McCutchen will earn $5 million and have another opportunity to play for the team where he found most of his success.

McCutchen started his career with the Pirates and blossomed into one of the best players in the league, winning NL MVP during the 2013 season while also finishing in the top five in voting in 2012, 2014 and 2015. His arrival helped spark a brief resurgence for the Pirates franchise, ending what had been a 20-year run of consecutive losing seasons. Their 2013 trip to the NLDS was the team's first playoff appearance since 1992.

He was traded to San Francisco during the 2018 season in a deal that sent All-Star centerfielder Bryan Reynolds to Pittsburgh. Along with the Giants, McCutchen has also spent time with the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers.

The 37-year-old returned to Pittsburgh in 2023 and was having one of his best offensive showings in years before he suffered a season-ending injury in early September. 

His return to Pittsburgh should be a bright spot for Pirates fans given how widely beloved he remains. 

It will also see him reach another career milestone. Last season, McCutchen recorded his 2,000th career hit and will enter the 2024 campaign just one home run shy of 300 for his career. 

The Pirates roster is still not very good, with ownership and the front office refusing to spend in free agency or via trade. But having the return of a healthy Oneil Cruz and fan-favorite McCutchen should at least make them worth watching.