Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Jon Heyman on Andrew McCutchen

The Winter Meetings are in day two.  The Pittsburgh Pirates have not made a move yet, however one could be on the horizon.  Andrew McCutchen‘s name is still being rumored.

Late last night it seemed the Washington Nationals would be moving several of their top prospects to the White Sox.  Many insiders were reporting that talks accelerated between the two sides for Chris Sale.  This morning many fans were waiting to hear what the final details would be.  Much to the Pittsburgh Pirates fan delight no deal ever occurred between the Nationals and White Sox.  Instead, the Boston Red Sox made the splash move and acquired the top left-handed talent.  Immediately Pittsburgh Pirate fans rejoiced with that thought that the Bucs could get some of this young talent after all from the Nationals.  Jon Heyman reported that after missing out on Melancon and Sale, the Nationals are upping their talks to get Cutch.  Heyman tweeted:

"“Nats are going for McCutchen now. Not easy to see them going 0 for 3. Dodgers, others are looking at cutch, too, tho.”More from Rum BunterPittsburgh Pirates Prospect Stockwatch: Outfielder Tres GonzalezPittsburgh Pirates Podcast: Rum Bunter Radio Talks Winter Meetings FalloutPittsburgh Pirates: Potential Leadoff Hitters in 2023Pittsburgh Pirates: The Rotation is not being ImprovedPittsburgh Pirates Make Vince Velasquez Signing Official"

With that we all knew that the Pittsburgh Pirates have had several teams involved on Andrew McCutchen.  However, over the last two days it has been stated by Jon Morosi and now Heyman that the Dodgers are in on McCutchen.  Outside of the Nationals the Dodgers might be the next best team to deal with while trying to get young pitching.  ESPN’s Jim Bowden noted that the Dodgers should offer a deal centered around top 50 prospect Jose De Leon and others.  The Dodgers seem to always have their nose in everything, do not count out them in the Cutch sweepstakes.

Also, Heyman expanded in an article. He spoke regarding the Washington National’s need and interest for Andrew McCutchen:

"“The bright side to that, of course, is that the team still has prospects available to trade, and they seem to be trying to do just that as they continue to go after Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen.”Sale was always the Nationals’ first choice, and it was difficult to envision them having the prospect resources to acquire both via trade. With Sale now in Boston, however, Washington can turn its attention to the Pirates center fielder.”"

Related Story: What Else do the Nats Have?

Back to the Nationals.  The team could be in desperate mode.  According to multiple reports the Nationals goal was to leave the Winter Meetings with two of Andrew McCutchen, Chris Sale, and Mark Melancon.  Well two of them are off the board.  Although the Nats could be desperate to make a deal, they still do not have to give up anything the Pittsburgh Pirates want.  The Bucs seem to be in a much better position than they were 24 hours ago however.  The negotiations are definitely in their favor.