Last week, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a key signing, which brought great joy to their fanbase.
The Pirates brought back a familiar and friendly face in franchise legend Andrew McCutchen.
“Cutch,” as he is affectionately known, spent the first nine seasons of his MLB career in Pittsburgh before being traded to the San Francisco Giants in 2018.
He also made a brief stop with the New York Yankees, spent three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, and made another brief stop with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Last season with the Brewers, the 36-year-old hit .237 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI, primarily serving as a designated hitter and fourth outfielder.
On Twitter, the Pirates posted a nice message, welcoming their star home.
Welcome home Cutch!
We have signed Andrew McCutchen to a one-year contract for the 2023 season. pic.twitter.com/ozU47E4Pm5
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 20, 2023
Similar to Albert Pujols returning to St. Louis for his final season, McCutchen now gets the chance to have a nice homecoming in the city where it all began for him.
Drafted in 2005, McCutchen made his debut in 2009.
Over the course of his career, the veteran outfielder has been named to five All-Star teams, has won a National League MVP Award, a Gold Glove, and four Silver Slugger Awards.
Much of that success came in Pittsburgh.
McCutchen also briefly helped guide the Pirates back to prominence after 20 consecutive losing seasons, leading them to the postseason in 2013, ’14, and ’15.
Now, the 36-year-old will get a chance to come home and potentially chase some Pirates records.
McCutchen has not announced whether or not 2023 will be his final season, but Pirates fans will at least have a chance to see him play before he retires.
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