Andrew McCutchen’s Frustration Over Pirates Fan Fest Absence

Andrew McCutchen, who has a contract with the Pirates until 2026, is discontented with the team for not inviting him to their annual preseason fan fest. This former National League MVP expressed his feelings on social media, particularly on Saturday night.

McCutchen, who spent 12 of his 17 MLB seasons in Pittsburgh, pointed out that other long-time stars like Albert Pujols, Clayton Kershaw, and Miguel Cabrera have participated in team events even when not signed for the next season.

He tweeted, “Card did this?” regarding other players, mentioning Wainwright, Pujols, and Kershaw. He lamented, “If this was my last year, it would have been nice to see the fans one last time as a player.”

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was somewhat vague about the decision to exclude McCutchen. He recognized McCutchen’s significant contributions to the team, noting, “Andrew meant a lot to our team… His legacy as a Pirate is secure.” Cherington also mentioned their intention to maintain a good relationship with McCutchen moving forward.

At 39, McCutchen played 25 games for the Yankees in 2018 and had a season with the Pirates where he appeared in 135 games as a designated hitter. Last season, he hit .239 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs.

Cherington emphasized the team’s focus on building a competitive roster for the upcoming season, stating, “Our approach this offseason has been focused on what gives us the best chance to win more baseball games in Pittsburgh than in past seasons.” He assured that there’s more work ahead and that communication with McCutchen will continue.