Andrew McCutchen is one of baseballs most recognizable and accomplished Black Knights. He’s one of the game’s class acts and supreme ambassadors. And for the first time in his All-Star career, according to numerous reports, he will be playing on a legit World Series contender. The Yankees agreed to a trade with the Giants Thursday night that would send them McCutchen for two minor leaguers.
Buster Olney on Twitter
Yankees get McCutchen: source
Yankees have been without star slugger Aaron Judge, who has a chip fracture of his right wrist, since July 27. Initially, they expected him to be out for just three weeks but then amended that to five to six weeks. Five weeks into the healing process and Judge has yet to swing a bat. Even if he returns now, the Yankees cant be sure if his wrist will be at full capacity.
McCutchen isnt the same caliber of ballplayer he was in 2013 when he won the NL MVP. Hes a career .288 hitter, batting a career-low .255, but hes still a starting outfielder with power and is an upgrade from converted infielder Neil Walker and Shane Robinson who is hitting .143 after going 0-for-4 in a terrible 8-7 loss to the lowly Detroit Tigers on Thursday
Jon Tayler, Smiling Politely on Twitter
Andrew McCutchen leaves the 2018 Giants as their team leader in homers with 15, which would rank seventh on his new Yankees squad.
In January, The Black Knight from Polk County, Fla. – who spent the first nine years of his career transforming Pittsburgh from MLB’s Saigon and the losingest franchise in pro sports into potent World Series title contenders – was unceremoniously traded to the San Francisco Giants for right-hander Kyle Crick, minor league outfielder Bryan Reynolds and $500,000 in international signing bonus allocation. .
Cutch’s MONSTER Night!
Andrew McCutchen racked up six hits, including a walk-off, three-run home run in his seventh game as a Giant. Welcome to San Francisco!
He arrived in San Fran with a chip on his shoulder, looking to prove that he could still ball at a high level and help the Giants, who won World Series titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014, get back to contending in the NL West. It didnt quite work out, as San Fran has stumbled to a 67-68 record, but McCutchen has proved to be a productive, professional bat.
With Judges return up in the air, bringing in a solid veteran such as Cutch could significantly improve the Yankees fortunes. The Yankees lineup is significantly upgraded from the one Cutch left in San Fran. He wont have to carry the Yankees, just play and produce. Even if Judge returns, McCutchen will serve the Yankees well as a DH and backup outfielder.
Brandon Tierney on Twitter
After peaking in June (6 HR/17 RBI/.900 OPS) McCutchen has leveled off in July and August. Still, solid move by Cash. Guys are dragging, need rest. When Judge returns they’ll have a glut of OF’ers, but those things usually work themselves out. Solid move. @Yankees
The Yanks can use a the former Gold Glove in centerfield or right. Hes built for the playoffs and anyone who downplays this move just hasnt been watching Cutch for the past decade. The longer Judge is out, the more significant McCutchen becomes and after years of carrying the Pirates franchise on his back and a year of carrying the Giants, how fitting would it be if he got his first World Series title in New York.
