Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Hot Stove Update: Andrew McCutchen Won't Be Coming Back to the Giants

The Phillies reportedly agreed to a 3 year/$50 M contract with OF Andrew McCutchen. The deal included a $15 M option for 2022 with a $3 M buyout.  Cutch was one of several 3'rd tier OF FA's after Bryce Harper(Tier 1) and AJ Pollock(Tier 2) which is itself a bit odd given Cutch's relative durability and Pollock's extensive injury history.  The rap on McCutchen is he is just not a CF anymore and is still adapting to a shift to corner OF.  Maybe the bat is a bit short for corner OF?  Still, he was the best hitter on a weak Giants team last year before a late trade to the Yankees.  He should enjoy better power numbers playing in the Phillies crib which is much more hitter friendly than AT&T Park.  

The Phillies are thought to be still pursuing Bryce Harper but the McCutchen signing takes some of the pressure off that avenue and creates some interesting trade possibilities for other members of a crowded OF.  Would the Giants be interested in Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, Aaron Altherr, Dylan Cozens or Roman Quinn?

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The White Sox bolstered their rotation by acquiring RHP Ivan Nova from the Pirates for a 19 yo RHP prospect.  Nova is an innings eater who will likely put up an ERA in the mid-4's.  He is entering the last year of a 3 year/$26 M contract.  The kid the Pirates are getting put up some nice K/BB ratios in the low minors last year. The Pirates also get $500 K in international bonus pool money in the deal.
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4 comments:

  1. ErikDecember 12, 2018 at 8:13 AM

    In 2017 Aaron Altherr looked like he was about to become a dude, but in 2018 his numbers regressed. Maybe playing hurt? It might be worth kicking the tires for him.

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    1. DrBGiantsfanDecember 12, 2018 at 8:24 PM

      You wouldn't want to give up anything of value for him, but if you could get Altherr as a throw-in or for an extremely low level prospect, he's an intriguing upside play, IMO.

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  2. AnonymousDecember 12, 2018 at 9:00 AM

    Did anyone think Cutch had some problems in AT&T's RF?
    Wait until Jose Martinez is out there!
    Did anyone watch the Red Sox shift their OF when they played in LA as the other "J" as in J.D. Martinez ran back and forth to the corner least likely to be hit to!

    If that's in Zaidi's brain, perhaps he's a Dodger plant wearing orange and black.

    That will really put butts in the seats!

    https://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/Giants-weighing-offers-for-closer-Smith-other-13459407.php?utm_campaign=twitter-premium&utm_source=CMS%20Sharing%20Button&utm_medium=social

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  3. AnonymousDecember 14, 2018 at 2:12 PM

    McCutchen has hit 20 or more HRs for 8 consecutive years.
    His slugging % in his home parks (Pittsburgh, San Fran, NYY) is "middish" for him.
    He has waaay better numbers in Philadelphia.
    Look for him to be contending for most team HRs with Hoskins.
    He can play either corner with no-glove Hoskins moving to 3rd.
    On a not-so-great fielding team, Cutch's deficiencies won't stand out.
    He'll look a lot better on a better team.

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