Let us start with the hot topic which is the rumors of the Pirates trading Andrew McCutchen. Our sources tell us that the Pirates definitely want to trade him, and on the other side, the Washington Nationals want him. The issue why this trade has not been completed is because Mike Rizzo does not want to give up two of his best prospects for McCutcheon. Expect Victor Robles and a pitching prospect to go in the deal.
Sources: Pirates and Nationals are ramping up talks about a trade that would send Andrew McCutchen to D.C. https://t.co/4qgEJ9yGY8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 1, 2016
From the article:
“…the ripple effect of trading for McCutchen would likely be a move to nontender shortstop Danny Espinosa before tomorrow’s tender date.”
We should know shortly as this deal is set to be completed today. In the meantime, what do you make of the decline in McCutchen’s production the last two years? Also consider the very slow starts to his past two seasons. Is it better to just pass or is he a bounceback candidate?
To possibly make the prospects of acquiring McCutchen worse, he was the lowest rated every day centerfielder in baseball, and it was not close according to FanGraphs. His range rating was a -18.3 and his UZR a -18.7.
It might be best to pass on McCutchen and look to the other outfielders who could be available by trade and are not reclamation projects. Let us name again name Eaton, Cain and Blackmon.
