MLB world reacts to Pirates legend returning to Pittsburgh

One of the top Pittsburgh Pirates stars of the last 30 years is returning to Pittsburgh.

Outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who spent his first nine seasons in Pittsburgh and won the NL MVP in 2013, reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Pirates.

The 36-year-old played for four teams in his hiatus from Pittsburgh. McCutchen played for the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers, only playing with the Phillies for more than one season.

The Pirates haven’t yet confirmed the news, but they’ve all but confirmed. The team tweeted a GIF of McCutchen and posted an article that said a source told MLB.com’s Justice delos Santos that McCutchen signed.

pic.twitter.com/VFLFb6Q48c

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 13, 2023

While McCutchen isn’t producing as much as he used to, his presence will still help the Pirates. This is a young squad, and McCutchen can look back on his first Pirates stint and be a team leader by giving advice to the players.

In addition, McCutchen’s signing is a rare W for Pirates management as fans have grown frustrated with the decades of constant “rebuilding” and trading young stars for other prospects. In fact, it’s possible that the McCutchen signing could be a way to soften the blow if Bryan Reynolds is traded. Ironically, Pittsburgh got Reynolds in the Giants trade involving McCutchen.

The only time the Pirates have had remote success since the Barry Bonds days of the early 1990s was when McCutchen led the team. After 20 consecutive losing seasons, the Pirates finally made the postseason in McCutchen’s MVP-winning season. Unfortunately, in an incredibly stacked NL Central at the time, that was the only time the Pirates got past the Wild Card Game. After two Wild Card losses in the next two years, the Pirates went back to their losing ways while McCutchen was traded to the Giants.

Many took to social media to welcome the realistic possibility of Cutch coming home.

Cutch is the most important member of the Pirates since Barry Bonds and the most beloved since Willie Stargell. If he wants to finish his career here, then he should. It doesn’t hurt anybody.

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) January 13, 2023

“Cutch is the most important member of the Pirates since Barry Bonds and the most beloved since Willie Stargell. If he wants to finish his career here, then he should. It doesn’t hurt anybody.” -Josh Yohe

This cynical, grifting franchise is trying to get me to momentarily forget about all the dirt they’ve done and will do by signing a bargain-basement veteran who won’t change the fortunes of the organization.

And it’s working! Love u Cutch welcome home king https://t.co/Ys85D17kIj

— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 13, 2023

“This cynical, grifting franchise is trying to get me to momentarily forget about all the dirt they’ve done and will do by signing a bargain-basement veteran who won’t change the fortunes of the organization.

“And it’s working! Love u Cutch welcome home king” -Alex Kirshner

Cutch’s impact on that clubhouse should be significant. A great mentor for the young core of the team. #Pirates

— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) January 13, 2023

“Cutch’s impact on that clubhouse should be significant. A great mentor for the young core of the team.” -Josh Rowntree

I like that Cutch is going home. Pretty cool. https://t.co/XpaDVsAWOc

— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) January 13, 2023

“I like that Cutch is going home. Pretty cool. -Randy Wilkins