Andrew McCutchen indicated earlier this week that he plans to continue his playing career after this season, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
“In my mind, this isn’t my last year,” the 37-year-old said. “As long as my body holds up and I’m not embarrassing myself out there, I wanna keep playing.
McCutchen is serving as a full-time designated hitter at this point. However, he’s been productive this season since being moved into the leadoff spot. The five-time All-Star is hitting .273/.359/.459 with nine home runs in 195 plate appearances.
Andrew McCutchen Plans to Continue Playing Past 2024
Pittsburgh drafted McCutchen in 2025, making his major league debut in 2009. From 2009 to 17, he hit 203 home runs, a robust .291/.379/.487, and stole 171 bases as the club’s everyday center fielder. During that stretch, he was the National League MVP in 2013, the first of three years he guided the Pirates to the postseason. Unfortunately, the club slipped away from contention and traded McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants. He eventually bounced to the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers.
In 2023, he returned to Pittsburgh on a one-year, $5 million contract. The reunion between both sides has brought the veteran a nice bounceback.
McCutchen’s Presence on a Young Pirates Squad
McCutchen and the Pirates ran it back with another one-year, $5 million. According to Mackey, he relayed that McCutchen lobbied for a multi-year deal this offseason. However, the Pirates weren’t keen on doing so since McCutchen ended the 2023 season on the injured list.
“[The key has been] just keeping my body in a good place physically, McCutchen said to Manny Randhawa of MLB.com. “If I’m able to do that and have my legs under me, then I’m able to play the game the way that I know I can.”
McCutchen, who got off to a slow start at the plate this season, has rebounded with a strong May. However, Mackey also explains how McCutchen’s presence at the plate helps this young Pirates club. His chase rate is in the 97th percentile, and his walks are in the 78th percentile. As for his bat speed, he ranks in the 66th percentile MLB-wide.
The Pirates are creeping out of their long rebuild, hovering around the Wild Card race this year. McCutchen is a vital part of the reason why they are competing. With the results still coming, it’s fair why he wants to keep things rolling. But there may come a day when the goals of the Pirates don’t match with McCutchen as a player.
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