Pirates' Ryan O'Hearn splash might've formally sealed Andrew McCutchen's exit

While he had a brief hiatus in the middle of his career, Andrew McCutchen has been one of the lone bright spots for the Pittsburgh Pirates over the years. McCutchen was not only here in 2015 when the Pirates last tasted October action, but was one of the most dynamic players in the game.

McCutchen's 2013 NL MVP win was the catalyst that set an albeit brief run of greatness in motion for Pittsburgh, breaking up the bleakness that began in 1993 and returned in 2016. In the mid-2010s, there was perhaps no better example of a five-tool player in the league than Cutch.

While the 39-year-old is a long way removed from his heyday, McCutchen has been a steady presence at the plate since returning to the Pirates in 2023. Early on in the offseason, it seemed that his returning to DH while wearing black and gold was a must.

Since then, we've heard rumors of friction between him and the club, something that he has vehemently denied. It might not be bad blood, perceived or otherwise, that ends his second tour with the Pirates, though. Rather, he might be the victim of a roster squeeze.

Pirates' new addition Ryan O'Hearn spells the end of Andrew McCutchen in Pittsburgh

The cracks started to show in the foundation for McCutchen in 2025. At his advanced age, he's no longer nimble enough to roam the outfield on a regular basis, logging just 61.2 innings in the field last season.

As a designated hitter only, McCutchen's career-worst 95 wRC+ meant that he provided negative value, recording -0.1 fWAR. Without the ability to contribute on defense, the only chance he has to recover in 2026 is for his bat to rebound, a big ask for a 39-year-old.

Even if the Pirates were willing to take that risk, and/or valued the nostalgia and veteran leadership above on-field performance, the Ryan O'Hearn signing sure seemed like it represented the final nail being driven into the coffin for McCutchen in Pittsburgh.

O'Hearn joining the Pirates is the culmination of squeezing McCutchen out. Previous moves, including trading for Jhostynxon Garcia and Jake Mangum, have left the Pirates with four viable outfielders, once you count incumbents Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz.

Adding O'Hearn gives them a fifth potential outfielder on occasion, but also crowds first base with Spencer Horwitz to the point where one of them will regularly be forced to DH. As Pittsburgh tries to work in Garcia, that could force Reynolds to DH whenever Horwitz and O'Hearn aren't occupying that spot.

So while the Pirates shouldn't be finished — the left side of the infield still has some questions that need to be answered  — they no longer need what McCutchen can provide. It's a sad truth, but a truth nonetheless.