Pittsburgh Pirates fans received some rare good news on Friday.
It was reported that they signed franchise legend Andrew McCutchen to a one-year contract.
It could be that the 36-year-old veteran is looking to retire with the organization in which he made history in the early-to-mid-2010s.
The New York Mets were reportedly interested in McCutchen, but he’s returing to where it all began.
In Pittsburgh, the talented outfielder was the National League MVP in 2013 and earned five All-Star nods.
If you were wondering if McCutchen had reasons to keep playing at least one more year, we recommend you taking a look at these milestones he could reach in 2023.
“Andrew McCutchen returns to the Pirates on the verge of some big round numbers: He’s got 1,948 career hits, 392 doubles, 287 home runs, 983 walks. It’ll likely be a summer of milestones,” MLB insider Buster Olney tweeted.
Andrew McCutchen returns to the Pirates on the verge of some big round numbers: He’s got 1,948 career hits, 392 doubles, 287 home runs, 983 walks. It’ll likely be a summer of milestones.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 13, 2023
If everything goes according to the plan, the star outfielder will reach 2,000 career hits, 400 doubles, 300 home runs and 1,000 walks this year.
Reaching these numbers will be important to strengthen his Hall of Fame case.
Of course, he will also get to play with the team in which he blossomed into a star, a la Albert Pujols.
In 2022, ‘Cutch’ hit .237/.316/.384 with 17 homers and eight steals over 580 plate appearances with the Milwaukee Brewers.
It could be that the Pirates are preparing to trade Bryan Reynolds and want their fanbase to be focused on other things, but McCutchen can actually still help the Pirates.
He is not a star on the field anymore, but remains a savvy hitter with an elite eye and some occasional power.
His contribution as a veteran clubhouse leader will probably be more valuable.
