Overview
- Andrew McCutchen remains unsigned and was absent from PiratesFest, later saying on X that fans were denied a chance to see him and declaring he still intends to play in 2026.
- General manager Ben Cherington praised McCutchen’s legacy at the event but declined to commit to a reunion, stressing that roster construction to win this season guides decisions.
- The Pirates have added Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe and made other depth moves that reshape first base/DH usage and could reduce McCutchen’s potential role.
- McCutchen, primarily a DH in recent years, hit .239/.333/.367 with 13 home runs and a 95 wRC+ in 2025, production the club is weighing in its evaluation.
- Reports and predictions have linked Pittsburgh to additional bats, including a possible Nick Castellanos trade and a two-year, $42 million pursuit of Eugenio Suárez, but no such moves are confirmed.