My Thoughts on Andrew McCutchen to the Yankees and the Entire Hot Stove Season

Ok. First of all, good morning. I hope everyone’s holiday and Christmas was great. I know mine was. Enough with the pleasantries though, let’s get straight into this. Who in the hell is Brian Bilek and how does he “know” so much about the potential trade between the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox?

In the reported three-way trade reported by Mr. Bilek the Chicago White Sox would send left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana to the Pittsburgh Pirates while the Yankees would get Andrew McCutchen. The Chicago White Sox would receive a package of prospects headed by Tyler Glasnow of the Pirates farm system. Ok. This is a big rumor and a rumor that no one else, literally no one else, is reporting or have gotten wind of. If it looks like a fish, and smells like a fish it’s probably a fish and this smells awfully fishy to me.

First of all the Pirates just acquired Ivan Nova off the free agent block, more on that later, and secondly what do the Yankees need with another outfielder? I thought the Yankees needed pitching, i.e. Quintana? I mean I guess I get it if it’s deemed that the Yankees cannot match the price for Quintana that the Pirates are willing to pay that they would want to manipulate where the lefty went as to not have to face him 15 times a season but how much is that really worth to them? And how much is McCutchen really worth to them?

McCutchen is 29-years old and is set to make $14 million in 2017 and $14.75 million in 2018 assuming whatever team has his rights that season opts to pick up his team-friendly team option. I mean, on paper maybe this works…. But why do the Yankees need another outfielder? And if they needed an outfielder why wouldn’t they stop gap with a Jose Bautista or something, why give up a top prospect for McCutchen? I just don’t get it, and I can’t say I believe this to be true.

It is stories and rumors like this that made me want to get into this game. Don’t be first, don’t make up crap. Just get it right and do it often. That’s the motto I try to live by. Oh well. Stay tuned and see if the Yankees get McCutchen, my opinion is that they won’t though.