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Pirates' GM: McCutchen retiring with club could be 'contradictory' to winning WS

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Another offseason is already leaving Pittsburgh Pirates fans wondering about the future of outfielder Andrew McCutchen and Pirates' general manager Neil Huntington had some answers Saturday.

Amid trade rumors surrounding the 2013 National League MVP, Pirates fans probed Huntington for answers at Pirates Fest and the executive was clear when he delivered his thoughts about McCutchen's future in the 'Steel City.'

"We want McCutchen to retire a Pirate," Huntington answered to a fan's question, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune. "We also want to win (the) World Series. At times, those two are contradictory."

McCutchen has only ever played for the Pirates during his nine-year career, but was nearly traded to the Washington Nationals last December. He's recently been linked to the San Francisco Giants, who remain in contact with the Pirates, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

He is also attached to a $14.5-million salary in 2018, which is his last before his contract runs out, so the frugal Pirates may be interested in dealing him while his price tag is still high.

"Take a look around the industry, especially in small markets," Huntington said, according to Biertempfel. "How have they been able to build championship teams around one player who (represents) huge chunk of their payroll? The answer is, they haven't been able to. That's the challenge we face."

After producing a career-worst .766 OPS in 2016, McCutchen recovered nicely last year, hitting .279/.363/.486 with 28 home runs and 88 RBIs in 156 games, but the Pirates only managed to win 75 games, finishing fourth in the National League Central.

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