Andrew McCutchen’s Pittsburgh run appears to be over after Pirates' latest signing

On Sunday afternoon, Andrew McCutchen posted a video montage on X.

The symbolism wasn't subtle. The MVP trophy, the Gold Glove, the Silver Slugger – these were the moments that turned McCutchen from a promising prospect into the face of a franchise.

And then the Bible verse, Exodus 14:14:

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Less than 24 hours later, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $12 million deal with a 2027 option. If there was ever a quiet confirmation that an era has ended, this was it.

For years, McCutchen was Pittsburgh baseball. He dragged the franchise out of 20 consecutive losing seasons. He won the 2013 National League MVP. He delivered playoff baseball back to PNC Park. He carried himself with dignity when ownership slashed payroll and traded away core pieces. He came back when he didn’t have to.

And this is how it likely ends?

Not with a ceremony. Not with a transparent conversation. Not even with a clean break. But with silence. With the Pirates letting a franchise icon twist in the wind all offseason — effectively positioning him as a fallback option in case something “better” didn’t materialize.

Andrew McCutchen's Pittsburgh fairytale appears to end in silence and disrespect after Pirates sign Marcell Ozuna

Baseball is a business, and McCutchen is no longer in his MVP prime. But there’s a difference between making a roster decision and mishandling a legend.

If the Pirates knew they were pivoting toward Ozuna — a full-time DH profile at this stage — the respectful thing would have been simple: tell McCutchen, give him clarity, give him the dignity to explore options early, and give him the truth.

Instead, it felt like he was insurance. And when the Pirates landed Ozuna, the message was clear: thanks for everything… but we’re moving on.

We’ve seen McCutchen leave before. The 2018 trade to San Francisco hurt, but it was framed as a reset. The reunion in 2023 felt like a homecoming. The one-year deals in 2024 and 2025 felt like unfinished business.

This time? It feels final.

Ozuna’s deal doesn’t just crowd the DH spot — it signals intent. It signals a shift away from nostalgia and toward a short-term power boost. It signals that the Pirates have made their choice. And for fans who grew up watching No. 22 patrol center field, flash that smile, and tip his cap to roaring October crowds — it’s hard not to feel like the organization just mishandled something sacred.

McCutchen doesn’t need another season in Pittsburgh to validate what he meant here. He’s already the bridge between eras, the reason an entire generation fell back in love with baseball, and one of the most important Pirates of the modern era. But he – and the fans – deserved clarity.

Instead, we’re left reading between the lines of a Bible verse and a signing notification.

If this is truly the end of McCutchen’s Pittsburgh run, it won’t be remembered for how it concluded. It will be remembered for how much brighter everything was when he was here. And maybe that’s the quietest heartbreak of all.