Jason Mackey Urges Pirates to Back Andrew McCutchen’s Return

This article looks at the increasingly tense relationship between Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Their partnership once felt like a story of loyalty, revival, and mutual respect.

What started as a feel-good reunion has soured. Now, public comments from the front office, emotional responses from McCutchen, and unmet expectations have fueled a dispute.

The Spark That Lit the Fire

The latest drama began when general manager Ben Cherington said the club wasn’t ready to re-sign the veteran outfielder. His statement sounded careful, but it hit a nerve.

To McCutchen, it felt dismissive and overlooked what he’s still bringing to the table. He fired back on social media, accusing the organization of “cherry picking numbers.”

He insisted he’s far from done as a major league player. The whole exchange blew up online and turned a routine roster question into something personal and messy.

When Private Matters Go Public

Once these arguments land on social media, all the nuance just vanishes. What might’ve been handled quietly now looks like a PR headache, and McCutchen’s legacy in Pittsburgh suddenly feels at risk.

A Situation That Should Have Been Anticipated

Honestly, you could see this coming. When the Pirates brought McCutchen back in January 2023, everyone knew the reunion had an expiration date.

But there was never a clear plan for how things would wrap up. Over the last three seasons, McCutchen has put up 2.3 bWAR, which isn’t flashy by the numbers.

Still, just focusing on those stats misses the bigger picture of what he means to the team.

More Than Just WAR

McCutchen’s presence has bumped ticket sales and given fans something to get excited about again. He’s helped restore some identity to a team that’s needed it for a long time.

Those intangibles really matter, especially for a small-market club like Pittsburgh.

The Pirates’ Share of the Blame

The Pirates haven’t exactly helped McCutchen’s case, either. The lineup around him hasn’t offered much protection, so pitchers can just go after him.

Sometimes, they’ve put him in batting order spots that don’t play to his strengths. And then there are the public comments from owner Bob Nutting, who once said he wanted McCutchen in Pittsburgh “as long as he wants.”

That kind of talk set up expectations the front office now seems to be backing away from.

Mixed Messages Create Frustration

When ownership says one thing and the front office does another, players get confused. Fans notice, too, and it doesn’t feel great.

A Path Toward Resolution

Honestly, both sides need to take a breath and talk things out. McCutchen has every right to feel slighted, but maybe stepping back from social media and going straight to ownership would help.

If he’s thinking about retiring, they should come up with a plan that lets him leave on a high note. If he wants to keep playing, just being clear about his role would help a ton.

What the Pirates Should Consider

The Pirates need to realize what McCutchen means to the city. If there’s a way to bring him back, maybe it looks like this:

A Legacy Worth Protecting

Both sides have to face the facts here. McCutchen’s getting older, and his numbers just aren’t what they used to be.

The Pirates have priorities that go beyond just nostalgia. Still, it’s hard to ignore how much this player-team relationship has meant to the franchise.

If they approach things with honesty and respect, maybe it doesn’t have to end on a sour note. There’s still a chance for the Pirates and Andrew McCutchen to wrap up this partnership with some real appreciation.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Jason Mackey: Some advice for Pirates and Andrew McCutchen amid debate over his desired return