The Giants' aggressive offseason objective of bolstering a power-starved lineup took another significant step on Monday, as the club has acquired longtime Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, along with cash considerations.
Pittsburgh received two of the Giants' Top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline -- outfielder Bryan Reynolds (No. 4) and right-hander Kyle Crick (No. 16) -- and $500,000 in international bonus pool space.
McCutchen tweeted his thanks to the Steel City: Pittsburgh. My Home. My Fans. My City. The placed that raised me and helped mold me into the man I am today. You will 4ever be in my heart. A tip of the cap to all who have been on this journey with me. With Love and respect, Cutch.
November, when he was initially believed to be a backup option after they missed out on acquiring Giancarlo Stanton via a trade from the Marlins. In December, Stanton vetoed a trade to the Giants -- who had been as aggressive as any club in attempting to acquire him -- and was shortly after traded to the Yankees.
 
McCutchen, 31, has one year and $14.5 million remaining on his current contract, making him an affordable option that would require a limited commitment in terms of length. The Giants, who posted the worst record in the National League last year, are hoping to bolster a lineup that hit the fewest home runs in the Majors (128, 23 fewer than the Pirates, who had the second fewest) and posted the lowest slugging percentage (.380).
San Francisco addressed offense this offseason by acquiring longtime Rays third baseman Evan Longoria last month in exchange for three of its then-Top 30 prospects, as ranked by MLB Pipeline -- infielder Christian Arroyo (No. 1), left-hander Matt Krook (No. 25) and right-hander Stephen Woods (No. 29) -- as well as veteran center fielder Denard Span.
McCutchen is coming off an improved 2017 in which he slashed .279/.363/.486 with 28 home runs and 88 RBIs. Last week, Giants general manager Bobby Evans said the front office was focused more on corner outfielders than on a center fielder, though acquiring McCutchen -- who moved to left field last year, then back to center when Starling Marte was suspended 80 games -- doesn't necessarily preclude his move from center in San Francisco. The Giants currently have Jarrett Parker slated in left, Gorkys Hernandez in center and Hunter Pence in right.
The Giants had also been linked to Lorenzo Cain, though the free-agent center fielder would come with Draft-pick compensation since he received a qualifying offer from the Royals.  
On Saturday, the Pirates dealt ace Gerrit Cole in exchange for three players they believe are MLB-ready -- Joe MusgroveColin Moran and Michael Feliz -- as well as outfield prospect Jason Martin. The move hinted at a potential Pirates rebuild in the immediate future, but the deal also filled holes on their current roster.
After dealing Cole, the Pirates were believed to continue listening to offers on players nearing free agency, such as McCutchen, second baseman Josh Harrison and third baseman David Freese. Harrison is owed $10.25 million in '18 and has a $10.5 million team option or a $1 million buyout in '19. Freese is owed $4.25 million this season, and the Pirates have a $6 million team option or a $500,000 buyout on the veteran in '19.
For McCutchen and the Pirates, Monday's move marked the end of an era for their former first-round pick (11th overall) in 2005, who blossomed into the face of the franchise and will likely be included on any short list of the club's all-time great players.
From 2012-15, McCutchen was one of the game's top players, finishing in the top five in the National League MVP vote each of those four seasons and receiving the honor in '13, when he helped the Pirates snap a 20-year postseason drought, beginning a streak of three straight playoff seasons.
McCutchen was just as much acclaimed for his on-field prowess as he was for his relationship with the Pittsburgh community and his charitable contributions to a city he identified with. He named his son, Steel, who was born on Nov. 27, as an homage to the city in which he played his first nine seasons.
Daniel Kramer MLB.com
 

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