Andrew McCutchen is still being targeted by the Giants

With January almost a week in, the rumor mill around the league is still churning strong.  One player’s name who popped up on the mill is Andrew McCutchen.

When the off-season started, many fans were split on whether Andrew McCutchen would remain a Pittsburgh Pirate.  Some, like myself, were accepting that 2017 was most likely his last season in black and gold.  While others, like a few writers on this site, felt he would be back in 2018.  This remains unclear.  However, what does not remain unclear is that there are teams interested in acquiring the former MVP.  Early in the off-season, it was reported that the San Francisco Giants had shown interest in Cutch.  A few weeks later there was speculation that the Dodgers could also make a run to acquire the face of the Pittsburgh Baseball Club.

However, like most of the country, the off-season market is in a virtual freeze.  Only one of the top ten free agents has signed, that being Wade Davis.  Meanwhile, there has only been one real notable trade.  That was when the San Francisco Giants dealt for Evan Longoria.  In the trade, the Giants dealt their center fielder in Denard Span.  Doing so opens up a second hole in their outfield, making it even more likely that they would have interest in acquiring at least one significant outfielder.  Well, apparently the Giants have been in recent talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates about Andrew McCutchen.

Jon Paul Morosi, of MLB.com, wrote an article connecting the two sides.  He reported earlier this offseason that the Giants had interest.  His latest article suggests that the two sides have had more recent contact about a possible acquisition.  Here is what Morosi wrote in his article:

"“The Giants and Pirates have had recent contact regarding a trade that would send Andrew McCutchen to San Francisco, a source told MLB.com, although a deal is not imminent and multiple barriers remain.The teams have had dialogue regarding McCutchen since early in the offseason, without producing any apparent breakthroughs. That is not surprising, as the Pirates also proceeded deliberately in their McCutchen trade discussions last offseason.”"

Next: Cubs Interested in Cole?

Morosi also noted that the Bucs are in the driver’s seat in regards to trade talks this winter.  They have some of the most affordable pieces in terms of money for the production a team will get from that player.  Cutch obviously will go to a team on a one year deal worth $14.5 million, money that many around baseball consider a bargain.  With that, the Bucs are also demanding significant talent in return for their franchise player.  Morosi notes in the article that the Bucs want one of Heliot Ramos (OF), Tyler Beede (RHP), and Chris Shaw (1B/OF).  If one had to guess, the Bucs would prefer the prospects in that order.  Furthermore, Huntington would likely look for more prospects in addition to one of those three.  It will be interesting to see if this rumor starts to gain traction over the next few days.