The Pittsburgh Pirates are experiencing one of their best starts in years this April. But the team still isn’t free of all public relations nightmares, particularly this week with a series matchup versus Andrew McCutchen and the Texas Rangers.
The Pirates are visiting Arlington to face McCutchen for the first time since he left the team for a second time this offseason. While McCutchen didn’t play in the series opener Tuesday, he wasn’t spared from media questions on his 2026 Pittsburgh departure.
McCutchen initially downplayed facing the Pirates.
“It’s just another day at the ballpark,” McCutchen said, via MLB.com’s Jason Mackey. “There’s not as much emotion compared to the first time [playing the Pirates] after I was traded.”
But McCutchen’s short answers to other questions appeared to indicate all is not well in his relationship with the Pirates.
“I’d rather not answer that question.”
I followed by asking how he feels the relationship is now and if he could see himself returning.
“I don’t know. I guess you’d have to ask them.”
When asked about what his communication with the Pirates was like this offseason, McCutchen repeated, “I’d rather not answer that question.”
The Pirates signed Marcell Ozuna to replace McCutchen as the team’s designated hitter. Ozuna came to Pittsburgh on a 1-year, $12 million contract. The deal also included a $16 million mutual option for the 2027 season.
Ozuna and the Pirates agreed to terms with McCutchen still available in free agency.
McCutchen eventually joined the Rangers on a 1-year, $1.25 million minor league contract.
Andrew McCutchen Wishes Pirates Well
It was pretty clear in McCutchen’s series of answers Tuesday that he felt slightly with the Pirates seemingly not appearing interested in bringing him back for 2026.
But McCutchen ultimately wished the organization well.
“They made a conscious effort to find ways they could better themselves,” added McCutchen. “They went out, and they did that. It’s paying off for them so far. You just have to stay healthy and see where that takes them.
“They’ve done well for themselves. They’ve done a good job thus far. Good for them.”
The Pirates lost 5-1 in the series opener to Texas on Tuesday night. They haven’t won two in a row in more than a week, which has caused them to drop to last place in the very competitive NL Central.
But the Pirates sit with a 13-10 record and entered the series in Texas with one of the best run differentials in the entire league.
Marcell Ozuna Struggles Makes Pirates Look Bad With McCutchen Snub
The Pirates not re-signing McCutchen when he clearly wanted to play again was always going to be a story in Pittsburgh. It’s more so, though, based on how the start of the season has gone.
Ozuna is off to a bad start in Pittsburgh, hitting .178 with a .528 OPS. The veteran has hit better over the past week, but he went 0-for-4 in Tuesday night’s loss.
McCutchen began very well in Texas, going 6-for-14 (.429) in his first five games. In 15 plate appearances during that stretch, he had three extra-base hits and four RBI.
Since then, though, McCutchen has gone hitless in 15 consecutive at bats with 10 strikeouts. He has one walk and a sacrifice fly in his past 17 plate appearances.
It’s a long season. Things could continue to turn around with Ozuna for the Pirates to look better in their decision to move on from McCutchen.
But the first McCutchen departure from Pittsburgh stung for a long time. His second Pittsburgh exit could too.
Andrew McCutchen Speaks out on Pirates 2026 Offseason Divorce