Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Blue Jays Interested in McCutchen

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pittsburgh Pirates
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Crasnik of ESPN

The Toronto Blue Jays missed out on bringing back their best hitter, and have a very mediocre outfield at this point.  The Blue Jays, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, are interested in acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen.  Crasnick tweeted “The #Bluejays continue to explore trade options in an effort to fill their OF void. One name they’ve kicked around: Andrew McCutchen.”  Crasnick also noted that it would take a chunk out of the Blue Jays system to get a deal done.

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In Conclusion

Although it seems the Bucs do no want to move Cutch, they may get enough in prospects to entice them to make a deal.  If they can get enough quality prospects back it could allow them to make other deals.

Unfortunately the Toronto Blue Jays do not have much at the major league level to offer the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Many know the Bucs want to acquire major league ready starting pitching for Cutch, as they tried to from the Nationals.  The only young starting pitching the Jays have to offer is Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman, who are not going anywhere.  One other name would be Joe Biagini, but he projects more as a swing man out of the bullpen rather than a high-end starter.  With that the Bucs would have to settle for a big package of prospects from the Blue Jays instead.

Next: Comparison: Cutch and Bay

If the Pittsburgh Pirates decide to deal Andrew McCutchen the Blue Jays would be a good team to target.  They have an obvious need and are trying to win now.  They are not operating as a team that is trying to rebuild and have made big splash trades in years before.  Albeit those deals happened under a different GM.  Also it would be good to deal Cutch to an A.L. team. Then the Bucs would not have to see him multiple times a year.  The chances of a trade are not very likely as Neal Huntington has said. However, there are several teams still calling on the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder.

Finally, all rankings from Baseball America and MLB Pipeline