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McCutchen not optimistic he'll end career with Pirates

Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports

For as long as we've known Andrew McCutchen, we've equated him with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Yet when he was asked on Saturday about ending his career with the club, he didn't seem optimistic.

"I don't know if that can happen," McCutchen said at PirateFest, per Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune.

As the winter meetings came to a screeching halt this week, no one's name was thrown around more than the Pirates center fielder.

For a few days, it appeared as though McCutchen, who just completed his eighth season with Pittsburgh, was destined to be traded to the Washington Nationals.

Then Washington went out and acquired Adam Eaton from the Chicago White Sox, and McCutchen was left in a Pirates uniform when all was said and done as talk of a move fizzled as quickly as it started.

"I was on edge," McCutchen said. "I didn’t know what to expect. I am glad to be here, still wearing No. 22 on my back."

McCutchen has emerged as one of the league's premier outfielders, his accolades including an MVP Award, five consecutive All-Star appearances, four consecutive Silver Sluggers, and one Gold Glove.

Still, his contract is set to expire next year, and he hasn't gotten the feeling the club is fighting to keep him around.

"I didn’t get any assurances other than I’m in this uniform as of right now," McCutchen added, saying he hasn't been offered a new contract yet. "As far as (2018) or (trade deadline), I don’t know."

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