Andrew McCutchen: Giving Cutch Extension in March Proved to Be Right Move
By Matt Shetler
Everyone likes to talk about the moves that Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington didn’t make at the trade deadline and while I don’t agree with that at all, how about giving the Pirates front office credit for making what could be the biggest decision in recent franchise history- successfully signing Andrew McCutchen to an extension.
It’s not just the fact that they were able to sign Cutch to a lengthy extension that will pay him $51.5 million and keep him under team control through 2018, but it is when they locked Cutch up that makes them look rather smart at this point.
After the season McCutchen has had so far in 2012, a six-year, $51.5 million deal seems like a bargain right now for a guy that’s right now the MVP of the National League.
Give the Pirates credit for getting Cutch extended in March, because if they didn’t, there’s no way they would have him at the same price tag right now.
Everyone expected McCutchen to keep getting better as a player from year-to-year and his extension put him in range with those signed by other young outfielders such as Jay Bruce, Justin Upton and Adam Jones. Even before the 2012 season began, McCutchen’s deal is a bargain compared to those other talented outfielders. But after what we’ve seen from Cutch so far in 2012, calling $51.5 million a bargain is the understatement of the century.
What would a McCutchen extension cost the Pirates if they were to do it now?
It’s hard to say exactly, but it’s easy to think he could command $80-$100 million easily. That number would probably be closer to the $80 million mark, but either way, it’s something the Pirates likely wouldn’t be able to afford.
So give Huntington and the Pirates credit for locking up their franchise when they did, otherwise a deal likely wouldn’t be done and given the Pirates history possibly would never have gotten done.