Report: Pirates will shop McCutchen in offseason
The Pittsburgh Pirates could be ready to part with their star outfielder Andrew McCutchen.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel, citing industry sources, there's a growing sense that the club will attempt to deal away the center fielder before he hits free agency in either 2018 or 2019.
General manager Neal Huntington will reportedly shop McCutchen - who has a $14.75-million club option in 2018 - this offseason to "gauge the level of interest," Biertempfel adds.
A former MVP in 2013, McCutchen has struggled at the plate this season, posting a career-worst .255/.336/.430 slash line. The 29-year-old's defense has also taken a hit, as his -27 defensive runs saved surpasses his previous career-low mark of -13, set in 2014, according to Fangraphs.
Though his numbers have dipped in 2016, McCutchen still owns a career .292/.381/.487 batting line along with 175 home runs.
McCutchen has played his entire eight-year career with the Pirates.