Pirates exercise McCutchen's $14.5M team option

The Pittsburgh Pirates have picked up the $14.5-million team option on star outfielder Andrew McCutchen.

After a down year in 2016 led to rampant trade rumors surrounding the former Gold Glove winner, the 31-year-old McCutchen bounced back, posting a 122 wRC+ over 156 games.

Following the 2018 season, McCutchen will be eligible for free agency.

McCutchen has finished in the top five of National League MVP voting in four of his nine seasons, including winning the award in 2013.

Subsequently, the Pirates announced they had declined the 2018 options on catcher Chris Stewart and pitcher Wade LeBlanc. Stewart was due $1.5 million next year, but the Pirates will incur a $250,000 buyout instead, while LeBlanc was due $1.25 million and will cost $50,000 to buy out.