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As the Pittsburgh Pirates embark on an important offseason, fans everywhere are dying to know – is Andrew McCutchen coming back in 2025?
Based on a recent post on X, it appears that McCutchen himself is dying to know the answer to that question as well.
McCutchen fielded a question on the social media platform from a fan who asked if he was coming back next season by reposting the question with a GIF of a viral clip of rapper Kodak Black saying, "I hope so."
McCutchen, who last month celebrated his 38th birthday, headlines the group of Pirates players who elected free agency after the 2024 season, joining pitchers Aroldis Chapman, Jalen Beeks and Ryan Borucki, as well as catcher Yasmani Grandal. McCutchen served primarily as a designated hitter in 2024, when he slashed .232/.328/.411 with 20 home runs and 50 RBI over 120 games.
https://t.co/YuL1MVFyCm pic.twitter.com/zvSwJJbCGB
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) November 4, 2024
In addition to being a fan favorite in Pittsburgh, where he has spent 11 of his 16 MLB seasons, McCutchen was also one of the Pirates' best hitters this past season. He is also a vital link between the organization's exciting past (remember those playoff appearances from 2013-15?) and its promising future.
Pirates must do right by Andrew McCutchen, bring him back for 2025 season
In September, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said he would "love to find a way for to finish his career in a Pirates uniform" (via Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
Great. McCutchen wants to come back. The team wants him to come back. So, what's the holdup?
Cherington said in September that contract discussions with McCutchen would not begin before the 2024 season was over. Well, the season's over, and McCutchen still doesn't have a new contract; but that is hardly cause for concern.
McCutchen signed a pair of one-year, $5 million free agent contracts to play in Pittsburgh in each of the last two seasons. He signed his 2023 contract in January and his 2024 contract in December, so there's still every reason to believe that the Pirates will bring him back for the 2025 season in a similar timeframe.
Take heart, Pirates fans, and be patient; Cherington and the front office still have time to do the right thing here.
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