This very successful era of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball may be coming to a close.
According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, some within the game believe the team may trade the player who has become the face of the franchise, Andrew McCutchen, when winter rolls around.
Industry insiders reportedly believe that the team will at least quietly shop McCutchen during the offseason, with the center fielder having a year remaining on his contract, plus a club option for 2018.
If the Pirates did move McCutchen, they’d be selling low. He’s coming off his worst season as a professional, having hit just .255 with a .430 slugging percentage, both career lows. Plus, he’s still wildly popular with the Pittsburgh faithful. It would be a risky move.
