Andrew McCutchen Inks New 6-Year Deal With Pittsburgh Pirates
Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates have inked a new deal with All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen in hopes that he will help to restore the franchise.
"Andrew McCutchen is one of the best young players in the game and we are very pleased to make this type of commitment to a great player and a great person," said the team's general manager Neal Huntington. "It has been our intent for Andrew to be a cornerstone for this organization and this contract solidifies that intent for at least the next seven years."
McCutchen, at age 25, has entered an agreement with the Pirates that will keep him on the team until the 2017 season with a club option for 2018.
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McCutchen has made a name for himself in the major league by posting career highs in home runs with 23, and RBIs with 89 along with 23 stolen bases.
The center fielder seems excited about the deal.
"It's almost like I feel married and you renew your vows," said McCutchen on Tuesday. "I always wanted to be here."
He made his first All-Star team last season. Huntington confessed that it is not just talent that makes Andrew valuable, but the person he is and will become.
His vision for the Pirates was conceived several years ago.
"In September of 2007 I was hired by [Pirate's owner] Bob Nutting [president] Frank Coonelly because we shared a vision," said Huntington. "A big part of that vision was evaluating, acquiring, developing and retaining quality individuals to create and sustain an outstanding organization with the primary goal putting a winning, consistent major league team on the field."
"Today is yet another step in that process, an important step in that process, as we secure an important piece of our major league team for several years in the future," he said, referring to the McCutchen deal.
