5 ideal landing spots for McCutchen
It's not every offseason a former National League MVP is made available through trade, but that seems to be the case for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Andrew McCutchen, as the team continues to field offers - and actively shop - the 30-year-old star center fielder in hopes of fueling a proper rebuild.
A player of McCutchen's caliber - and his team-friendly contract of $28.75 million over two years - would be a welcome addition to any team, but a select few could represent the best fit. Here are five ideal landing spots for the five-time All-Star:
Washington Nationals
One team in the McCutchen sweepstakes is reported to be the Nationals, as they look to get over the hump by finally winning a playoff series.
Coming off a division title, the Nats have Rookie of the Year finalist Trea Turner slotted in as their everyday center fielder, though he did break into the majors as a shortstop and could return to that position if the Nationals acquire McCutchen, who'd be an ideal fit alongside Bryce Harper in the outfield.
The Nationals and Pirates seem like ideal trading partners, especially since the Nats have a bevy of intriguing top prospects including pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and Erick Fedde, along with outfield prospect Victor Robles.
Toronto Blue Jays
Blue Jays fans hoping for a splash this offseason would be thrilled with a McCutchen deal, especially to help ease the potential losses of franchise faces Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista.
The Blue Jays have only one everyday outfielder slotted in for 2017 - defensive stalwart Kevin Pillar - so the fit is right, but the price may not be. The Pirates would almost certainly ask for top prospects Anthony Alford and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Toronto has been linked to a handful of outfielders this offseason, but McCutchen would give the Blue Jays another former MVP alongside Josh Donaldson.
St. Louis Cardinals
After five straight postseason appearances from 2011-2015 - including a World Series title - the Cardinals could be one move away from competing with division rivals and World Series champions, the Chicago Cubs.
The Cardinals have built a reputation as a team that develops talent internally, but after dipping into the free-agent market to sign reliever Brett Cecil, and reportedly having interest in Dexter Fowler to improve the team's defense in center, the Cards could be a sleeper for McCutchen.
Tommy Pham doesn't seem like an everyday outfielder and after center fielder Randal Grichuk struggled last season (.240/.289/.480), the Cardinals make sense, but it remains to be seen if a trade is realistic within the division.
Texas Rangers
Another big-market team looking to make a splash, the Rangers lack a true center fielder, which is why McCutchen - who's expressed a desire to remain at the position - is an ideal fit.
Ian Desmond manned the position last season for the Rangers and put together a career year, though it's unlikely the team brings him back. A few available center fielders make sense for the Rangers - including McCutchen and Fowler - especially if you factor that Nomar Mazara and Shin-Soo Choo should be locks for the corner outfield spots.
The Rangers have young, affordable assets with good value including Joey Gallo, Jurickson Profar, Delino DeShields, and possibly even Rougned Odor, so expect them to remain heavily involved in the McCutchen sweepstakes.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles is an ideal landing spot for most stars, but the Dodgers' prospect pool makes them an especially logical fit. Los Angeles has three elite young outfielders in Cody Bellinger, Alex Verdugo, and Yusniel Diaz.
Any trade involving McCutchen would move Joc Pederson to a corner outfield spot, and would give the Dodgers plenty of depth at the position, to go along with Yasiel Puig and Andre Ethier.
McCutchen would give the Dodgers yet another star to feature alongside Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager, further improving the team's outlook heading into 2017.