ESPN's Buster Olney Shares Update on Possible Andrew McCutchen Trade

The most accomplished Pirates hitter of the 21st century might not be on the move this summer, according to a recent report from an MLB insider.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are unlikely to deal outfielder Andrew McCutchen ahead of the MLB trade deadline, ESPN's Buster Olney reported Sunday.

McCutchen, who has spent 10 of his 15 major league seasons in Pittsburgh, will be a free agent this coming winter. With the Pirates sitting at 43-55 – good for last place in the NL Central – they might have been expected to trade away a veteran on an expiring contract prior to Aug. 1.

Olney is reporting otherwise, though, and that there is an understanding between the two sides that they will remain partnered for the rest of the 2023 campaign.

The Pirates signed the 36-year-old McCutchen to a one-year, $5 million contract in January, bringing him back to Pittsburgh for the first time since 2017. The team's 2005 first round selection is hitting .266 with 10 home runs, 28 RBI, nine stolen bases and an .795 OPS through 74 games in 2023.

McCutchen was on the injured list from July 6 to July 16 due to right elbow inflammation.

During McCutchen's initial stint with the Pirates from 2009 to 2017, he hardly ever missed time. The fewest games McCutchen appeared in after his rookie year was 146, and he averaged 155 games played with Pittsburgh once he became a full-time major leaguer.

McCutchen won National League MVP in 2013, in addition to finishing third in 2012 and 2014 and fifth in 2015. Across those four seasons, McCutchen hit .313 with a .926 OPS, averaging 25 homers, 90 RBI and 19 stolen bases a year.

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