Front Page    Register    Login    Forum    FAQ

Board index » Pittsburgh Sports




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:52 am 
Offline
Hall of Famer

Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:01 am
Posts: 2884
I caught some highlights (no Pirates highlights) from the weekend massacre in LA..........I noticed McCutheon on the bench.........he had the look on his face that said. "Get me the fuck outta here - these losers are bringing me down."

How many more years do we have him locked up for?

I think its going to be real hard to resign him. If there isnt considerable improvement.....I would advise him to walk.


Top 
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:18 pm 
Offline
Hall of Famer

Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:43 pm
Posts: 5051
Location: The Dark Side Of The Moon
I've said this before...it wouldn't shock me if they traded McCutchen sometime in the next year or two. There are certain players that give off the vibe that no matter what, you aren't going to be able to re-sign them. I don't know why, but I get that feeling watching McCutchen.

_________________
Six callers ahead of us, Jimmy!


Top 
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:52 pm 
Offline
Hall of Famer
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:17 pm
Posts: 23272
I think it will be a tough sign. Had they closed better this year, it might have swayed in favor of signing. I think you're right. The cycle of losing really wears down the young guys.

_________________
Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler


Top 
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:35 am 
Offline
Hall of Famer
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:05 pm
Posts: 9453
Location: Rhode Island
Cutch is locked up until 2015 I think.

He's a very good talent, there's no doubt about that. However, he doesn't go without blame this season. He's definitely had a few slumps during the season where a timely hit here or there from him may have resulted in a victory. So if he's thinking what you're saying Suwanee, I think he'd need to look at himself first and see what he can do to change it.

_________________
Image


Top 
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 8:08 am 
Offline
Hall of Famer
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:17 pm
Posts: 23272
His hitting has been pretty abysmal since the All-Star Break. Some power, but no consistency.

To his credit, he's been willing to bat anywhere in the lineup he's been asked to bat, without complaint.

_________________
Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler


Top 
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:23 pm 
Offline
Hall of Famer
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:05 pm
Posts: 9453
Location: Rhode Island
This business about the "good" players hating being in a losing situation in Pittsburgh. If that's the case, fuck them. Make it a winning situation. We don't know if Cutch feels that way, he probably doesn't, but we've heard it in the past before about certain players.

_________________
Image


Top 
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 5:52 pm 
Offline
Hall of Famer
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:17 pm
Posts: 23272
I'm inclined to agree with you, Jack, but I think some of it is that they are as frustrated by the same things we are: owner with small pockets; small market limitations; etc. They look around and see other teams interested in a player like Fielder (not saying we should be, even if we had the bucks, but you get the point). And they say, why not us?

When you're a doctor and you do ok practicing in Hell's Kitchen, you could do a lot better setting up on Park Avenue, and not worry about getting mugged on the way home besides.

Players look around and see other players having their cake and eating it too.

It's a tough situation, not just for fans. Even so, I want to see positive attitudes. Buck up and give it 110% every play. Run it out like it was the last time you are ever going to run on routine plays at first. These men are paid a helluva more than most of us ever will be.

_________________
Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler


Top 
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 5:35 am 
Offline
Hall of Famer
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:17 pm
Posts: 23272
Something in today's Trib about the status of contract talks between Cutch and management. An excerpt:

Quote:
Justin Upton, Jay Bruce and Andrew McCutchen have much in common. All three are budding stars in the National League, top-notch outfielders and 24 years old.

The trio was part of MLB's blockbuster 2005 draft class. The Arizona Diamondbacks chose Upton with the first overall pick. The Pirates got McCutchen with the 11th selection, one spot before the Cincinnati Reds snagged Bruce.

Yet, there is one area where McCutchen differs dramatically from Upton and Bruce.

Upton is making $4.25 million this year. Bruce is getting $2.75 million.

The Pirates are paying McCutchen $453,000, only $38,500 more than the MLB minimum.

The reason for such a disparity in dollars is Upton and Bruce each have a six-year contract. McCutchen does not have a multi-year deal — yet.

McCutchen turned down a long-term contract offer from the Pirates in each of the past two offseasons. Talks between general manager Neal Huntington and Steve Hammond, McCutchen's agent, are at a stalemate, but the two sides will resume discussions this offseason.

The Pirates are not in immediate danger of losing McCutchen, who can't become a free agent until after the 2015 season. However, they do want to lock him up before he qualifies for salary arbitration in 2013.

The outcome of talks between Huntington and Hammond will be a bellwether moment for the Pirates.

McCutchen is the face of the franchise, perhaps the Pirates' most exciting player since Barry Bonds. Failing to keep him past 2015 would cause a ruckus among the fan base, which has endured 19 straight losing seasons, and also would have negative connotations in the clubhouse.

Hammond and Huntington declined to comment, citing the agreement not to publicly discuss contract talks. Pirates owner Bob Nutting did not respond to an interview request.

According to multiple team and industry sources, the Pirates will probably offer a six-year deal with at least one club option. Neither of those conditions figures to be contentious. The battle line will be drawn, as it usually is in these situations, over the dollar figure.

McCutchen's camp certainly is keenly aware of $51-million payouts that Upton and Bruce accepted in 2010. The Pirates' target will be lower, perhaps around the $40.5-million package second baseman Dustin Pedroia took from the Boston Red Sox in 2008.

The Pirates spent $42 million on player salaries this year, which was $6 million less than they spent in 2008 and 2009.


Read more: McCutchen on verge of demanding big bucks - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... z1YxX74rNl

_________________
Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler


Top 
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:54 am 
Offline
Grizzled Vet
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:30 pm
Posts: 337
Location: In the Red Zone
My view: If they can't sign a player that was drafted by them (the way they said they were going to build the team, not via free agency) then either Nutting should sell the team, or the franchise should fold their tent.

You can't create flyers stating how you are going to build the organization from within, then let your standard-bearer walk after his first contract is up. That is unforgivable, and directly opposite of what you said you would do.

_________________
Image


Top 
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: McCutcheon's future
 Post Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:15 am 
Offline
Hall of Famer
User avatar

Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:17 pm
Posts: 23272
I agree 100%, Option.

_________________
Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler


Top 
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
 
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

Board index » Pittsburgh Sports


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests

 
 

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to: