Report: McCutchen, Pirates are $10 million apart on extension
The personnel move Pittsburgh fans most awaited this summer looks as if it won't materialize soon.
The Pirates and All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen are roughly $10 million apart in trying to seal a multiyear contract, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Sunday. The team is looking at six years in the range of $40 million, and McCutchen is seeking $50 million to line up with recent extensions for two other young right fielders, the Diamondbacks' Justin Upton and the Reds' Jay Bruce.
It's expected that the sides will continue to talk, if only because both are interested in a long-term deal, and the term of six years plus an option seems acceptable to both. But the money could cause it to stretch out a while.
McCutchen, 24, was a first-time All-Star this year, and his overall numbers remain solid with a .260 average and a career-high 23 home runs. But he has batted .220 since the All-Star break, and he has been below .200 for September. It appears to some that he has become homer-happy, swinging for the fences rather than simple contact.
"My focus for next year is to just work on the total package," McCutchen said. "I feel like I've been able to show some things, but I know there's another level."
McCutchen went 0-for-2 with two walks Sunday in the Pirates' 5-4 loss to the Reds.
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