Giants trade for Andrew McCutchen

[navamind]

But you have to remember the Cutch is a rental coming off two substandard seasons and playing himself out of center. As a corner OFer, he isn’t the same stud.

this is true, but his bat should still make him one of the best offensive right fielders in the game.

 

[The Q]

this is true, but his bat should still make him one of the best offensive right fielders in the game.

He also could be a plus RF defensively.

This was a great move.

Pitt , I get what they were doing, but I don't love the execution.

 

[calsnowskier]

this is true, but his bat should still make him one of the best offensive right fielders in the game.

He still plays as a near all-star in right, sure. But it is still for only 1 year.

And looking at the return...

They got a high ceiling late inning reliever with 5 (?) years of control and closer potential as well as a legit (despite my protests) OF prospect. With the trend of relievers becoming VERY valuable over the last few years, I think the return is more in line with actual value than a lot of critics say.

The argument that Pit doesn’t really need a late inning reliever during a rebuild is 100% valid, though. But Crick could be a good investment.

 

[JohnU]

The argument that Pit doesn’t really need a late inning reliever during a rebuild is 100% valid, though. But Crick could be a good investment.

I think if you are using your BEST pitcher in late innings during a rebuild, it's bad strategy.
If you are using a GOOD pitcher with upside in late innings, it's OK. Even in a rebuild, you have to win 60-some games, maybe 70. I don't think the Pirates have real bad pitching and their everyday lineup is league average.
I think there are holes in the batting order and finding a 3 guy will be kind of interesting.
I guess I don't see them falling into the back hole of hell without Cutch.

 

[steelparrot]

He also could be a plus RF defensively.

This was a great move.

Pitt , I get what they were doing, but I don't love the execution.

He has a weak arm though, LF would be better.

I dont like the 'high floor' strategy either.

 

[steelparrot]

He still plays as a near all-star in right, sure. But it is still for only 1 year.

And looking at the return...

They got a high ceiling late inning reliever with 5 (?) years of control and closer potential as well as a legit (despite my protests) OF prospect. With the trend of relievers becoming VERY valuable over the last few years, I think the return is more in line with actual value than a lot of critics say.

The argument that Pit doesn’t really need a late inning reliever during a rebuild is 100% valid, though. But Crick could be a good investment.

True, ill restate, High ceiling bullpen guys and High floor position players,, I guess thats what it looks like to me anyway.

If Rivero keeps going strong, with that new contract, he will have a ton of trade value, more than any team might wanna drop on any relievers idk

 

[steelparrot]

I see too many holes in that batting order. If Marte comes out like he did last year, they'd as well just ship him out.

They may keep Marte, Rivero and Polanco around even if they do start out well, because of the team friendly extentions(if they pan out ofc)

Harrison, Cervelli, Freese, Hudson, Nova, Mercer, I'm guessing all these guys are on the block now. Some of them have really low trade value though. Harrison with the 2 team options probably has more value than the rest combined, But the MLB season is a grind, the demand for some of those positions will go up as people get hurt, I just hope it isnt our guys :P

 

[Psych-Ward]

What did they get for him?

A pack of trident and some stale saltiness.

 

[soxfan1468927]

He still plays as a near all-star in right, sure. But it is still for only 1 year.

And looking at the return...

They got a high ceiling late inning reliever with 5 (?) years of control and closer potential as well as a legit (despite my protests) OF prospect. With the trend of relievers becoming VERY valuable over the last few years, I think the return is more in line with actual value than a lot of critics say.

The argument that Pit doesn’t really need a late inning reliever during a rebuild is 100% valid, though. But Crick could be a good investment.

Something they could be thinking is the trade market for late-inning relievers at the deadline. He could be a hot commodity come July of this year or next year.

 

[thedddd]

Truthfully I don't have an issue with the return.
An OF with the tools that can play a 4th OF or maybe mature into a starter and a reliever with possible high upside. Sadly the overlooked part of the deal with the additional $500,000 in international signing bonus money.

As for McCutchen they lost out years ago to get a good haul for him. If you look at his numbers from 2016 and 2017 they are not above a marginal starter. 2017 is a mirage if you take away June he wasn't good.
Also his CF play wasn't good either, does anyone know the plan for him to play CF in San Francisco? Yeah PNC has space in CF but nothing like San Francisco.

 

[calsnowskier]

Truthfully I don't have an issue with the return.
An OF with the tools that can play a 4th OF or maybe mature into a starter and a reliever with possible high upside. Sadly the overlooked part of the deal with the additional $500,000 in international signing bonus money.

As for McCutchen they lost out years ago to get a good haul for him. If you look at his numbers from 2016 and 2017 they are not above a marginal starter. 2017 is a mirage if you take away June he wasn't good.
Also his CF play wasn't good either, does anyone know the plan for him to play CF in San Francisco? Yeah PNC has space in CF but nothing like San Francisco.

He will play right for the Giants. The FO announced that yesterday.

 

[thedddd]

He will play right for the Giants. The FO announced that yesterday.

Oh that's good for the Giants.

 

[calsnowskier]

Oh that's good for the Giants.

Right at AT&T is tough. That wall is almost impossible to read.

But how is his arm?

 

[thedddd]

Right at AT&T is tough. That wall is almost impossible to read.

But how is his arm?

Here is a read from 2 years ago when the discussion started:
Andrew McCutchen could benefit in right field

But in relative terms his arm isn't that strong but he is pretty accurate.

As for RF there I totally forgot and the wall in PNC is close to the same. At least he is used to playing in some weird configured Outfields.

 

[The Q]

Pirates maybe want a Braves guy who’s a fa.

Let’s see.

 

[StanMarsh51]

If you look at his numbers from 2016 and 2017 they are not above a marginal starter. 2017 is a mirage if you take away June he wasn't good.
Also his CF play wasn't good either, does anyone know the plan for him to play CF in San Francisco? Yeah PNC has space in CF but nothing like San Francisco.

It goes both ways, because if you take out his awful 4 week stretch from mid May to mid June 2016, then his 2016 was pretty solid.


First 33 games - .861 OPS
Next 29 games - .534 OPS
Final 91 games - .807 OPS

So I don't think it's fair to say that his 2017 was better than it was because of a great month but ignore that his 2016 was worse than it was because of a disaster month..

 

[thedddd]

It goes both ways, because if you take out his awful 4 week stretch from mid May to mid June 2016, then his 2016 was pretty solid.


First 33 games - .861 OPS
Next 29 games - .534 OPS
Final 91 games - .807 OPS

So I don't think it's fair to say that his 2017 was better than it was because of a great month but ignore that his 2016 was worse than it was because of a disaster month..

I agree with you, that was my point. You have to judge him on both seasons since they have been consistently the same. He is nothing more than another OF that his major trade value has passed and what they got is probably the best they could.

 

[tducey]

Good pickup for the Giants here IMO. Will be different to see him in a different uniform though.

 

[Montalban]

Not a brutal move for thank Giants. This is a "at least they're trying" move.

The move for longo was worse.

At least they are an improvement. Now if they just finish it off by adding Lorenzo Cain to play Center Field I'll be satisfied.

 

[The Q]

At least they are an improvement. Now if they just finish it off by adding Lorenzo Cain to play Center Field I'll be satisfied.

i get it. Great fit, but do they have the money for it?

dyson makes sense too.