The Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t struggling with whether they want Andrew McCutchen back - they’re wrestling with how he actually fits into a roster that’s trying to move forward without letting go of the past.
McCutchen, now 39, isn’t the everyday outfielder or lineup centerpiece he once was. That version of Cutch - the MVP, the face of the franchise - is in the rearview mirror.
What’s left is a veteran bat who still brings value, just in a more targeted, situational role. He played only seven games in the outfield last season, and at this point, he’s a DH-only option.
That’s not a knock - it’s just reality.
The Pirates have been open about needing more offense this offseason. They’ve made it clear that the designated hitter spot is one of the key areas they’re looking to upgrade. And with McCutchen now a free agent, the conversation naturally shifts to whether there’s still a place for him in that equation.
The answer might start with Joey Bart.
Not because Bart has failed. In fact, his .355 on-base percentage led the team last season, even if the rest of the stat line - .249 average, .696 OPS, four home runs - didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard. But Bart represents something the Pirates rarely have: a movable, major-league-ready piece with actual market value.
That matters for a mid-market team trying to retool on the fly. The catching situation in Pittsburgh is already a little crowded.
Henry Davis is still very much part of the plan, and Endy Rodríguez gives them another big-league-ready option. There’s also enough organizational depth behind them to make Bart feel like a luxury - and one that comes with a $2.53 million price tag in 2026.
That’s not a massive number in the grand scheme of MLB payrolls, but for the Pirates, every dollar counts. And if that money can be redirected toward an outfield bat or another offensive upgrade, it’s worth exploring. Packaging Bart in a deal - or moving him straight-up - could open the door to a more immediate impact player.
And that’s where McCutchen fits in - not as the solution, but as part of it.
Bring him back on a one-year deal that respects what he still offers: a veteran presence, a selective and disciplined approach at the plate, and a guy you can trust in high-leverage pinch-hit spots. He’s still got value - just not as the everyday answer. Let him be the finishing touch, not the foundation.
If there’s been tension between McCutchen and the front office, as some reports have suggested, a cleaner roster picture might help smooth things over. Give everyone a defined role.
Make space for upgrades. And then let Cutch return to a team that’s actually built to compete - not one that’s just trying to recapture old memories.
Because if the Pirates want the best possible ending to the McCutchen story, they can’t treat the roster like a scrapbook. They need to build it like a contender.