Last month, for a short while, rumors surrounded the Pittsburgh Pirates and whether or not they were looking to sign Andrew McCutchen to a long-term extension and keep him with the club for the rest of his MLB career. That topic is up for discussion once again.
McCutchen told Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review today that he hopes to retire with the Pirates, which will once again spur rumors regarding a potential contract extension. Team owner Bob Nutting said in January that he'd like to see McCutchen stay in Pittsburgh "forever."
The 29-year-old slugger won the NL MVP in 2013, which was the first time the Pirates made the playoffs since the 1992 season. He's been an All-Star for five consecutive years and helped the team to the second-best record in the MLB in 2015. Throughout his seven-year career with the Pirates, McCutchen owns a .298/.388/.496 stat line with 639 runs scored, 151 home runs, 558 RBI and 154 stolen bases in 1,037 games.
He signed a six-year, $51.5 million extension prior to the 2012 season and sacrificed (at the time) what would have been lucrative arbitration years. The Pirates hold a $14.75 million team option on McCutchen for the 2018 season, but rumors have indicated the two sides may prefer to tear up this current deal and work on a new one. Cutch will earn $28 million over the next two seasons, which is a severe underpay for one of the best players in the MLB.
"I've said it plenty times: this is a place that I'd love to be, a place that I'd love to spend my whole career, win championships and just be here," McCutchen told Biertempfel. "It doesn't happen a whole lot in this game. But if the opportunity presents itself, that would be great for me, for my wife and, hopefully, one day, God willing, we have a family of our own. So, that would be really cool."
His outlook on the whole contract situation may also benefit the Pirates if/when the two sides head to the negotiating table.
"People define us - baseball players, athletes - by our contracts," he added. "I think I'm worth more than some numbers that you throw up on a board. Anybody can get paid millions of dollars, but it's what you do with who you are that matters."
"What am I worth? I'm worth more than just a contract. I'm worth more than just money. That's how I look at myself, and I hope my teammates and the coaching staff look at me like that as well."
Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review previously suggested a six-year, $120 million pact seems reasonable for both sides.
Being that McCutchen seemingly puts winning, his teammates and his coaching staff above all else, this could be a reasonable negotiation if contract extension talks ever commence.
