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Pirates Nearing Major Trade Decision on $131 Million All-Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 10:08 AM ET

If Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is indeed in the final months of a long career, it sounds like he'll end things where they all began.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported on Friday that Pittsburgh considers McCutchen and ace Paul Skenes as their only two "untouchable" players. McCutchen, who turns 39 in October, has spent the last three seasons as the Pirates' DH and part-time right fielder.

It's unclear if McCutchen would request a trade to a contender and if the Pirates would grant that wish. The five-time All-Star is hitting .259 with eight home runs, 28 RBIs, and a .744 OPS for the last-place Pirates.

Rosenthal added that the Pirates could move starting pitcher Mitch Keller, who signed a five-year, $77 million extension after the 2023 season.

It's been a long journey for McCutchen, the Pirates' No. 11 pick in 2005 who debuted four years later. McCutchen is easily one of the greatest players in Pirates history; his 43.2 bWAR ranks 12th entering Friday.

McCutchen has not committed to playing in 2026. However, one would reasonably believe that the Pirates would do what the Miami Heat did with Udonis Haslem and continuously offer him one-year contracts.

Unlike Haslem, though, McCutchen regularly suits up. He's played in 71 of Pittsburgh's 82 games, and his 0.7 bWAR is tied for ninth among Pirates players.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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