Pirates insider hints at unfortunate Andrew McCutchen reality, offseason catcher trade

Ever since Andrew McCutchen returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year free agent deal in 2023, it's practically been a foregone conclusion that he would be back again the following season. However, after three identical one-year, $5 million contracts, this year feels different.

McCutchen wants to play again next year; there's no questioning that. Even at 38 years old, he still feels like he has plenty left in the tank. But whether he wants to return to play in Pittsburgh – and whether the Pirates even want to bring him back – remains more unclear than ever.

It's not just paranoia from the fanbase, either; Alex Stumpf of MLB.com recently wrote that a free agent departure for McCutchen this offseason is a "distinct possibility."

McCutchen finished the 2025 season with a career-worst .700 OPS and 95 OPS+ (which, sadly, ranked in the top-three among all Pirates hitters). It's hard to argue that he didn't produce at all, but for a team like Pittsburgh that likes to nickel and dime its players, perhaps $5 million is simply too much to spend on a moderately productive bat.

As for McCutchen, he's in the twilight of his career and wants the chance to win. Even he has to know that Pittsburgh isn't going to give him a chance to do that.

Pirates insider hints at possible offseason catcher trade

Stumpf also addressed the Pirates' situation behind the plate, which suddenly looks extremely crowded, with no one obvious candidate emerging to be the club's starting catcher.

Henry Davis has the pedigree of a former No. 1 overall pick, and his pitchers love him. But his bat is so ineffective that he is in danger of being considered one of the all-time draft busts in the modern era. Joey Bart had a breakout season at the plate in 2024 but regressed to a .696 OPS in 2025. Rafael Flores made a decent first impression when he came over in the David Bednar trade, but he is still unproven. As for Endy Rodríguez, he simply cannot stay healthy.

Even though Flores and Rodríguez can also play first base, carrying four catchers on the 40-man roster seems a tad excessive. Stumpf suggested that the Pirates may opt to flip one of their catchers in a trade, though Bart is arbitration eligible this offseason and could be a potential non-tender candidate.

In theory, letting McCutchen walk in free agency and trading (or non-tendering) a catcher could allow the penny-pinching Pirates to use the extra money to go out and get a legitimate, middle-of-the-order bat to add to their lineup.

In practice, though? Ben Cherington has proven over the last six years that he is incapable of identifying real, long-term talent on the free agent market. Pirates fans shouldn't expect this year to be any different.