Could Andrew McCutchen Play Up North In Toronto Next Season?

Could the five time all-star finally move on from the Pirates after eight straight years? Could He really be traded? Would the Pirates even consider trading their fan favourite, former MVP and first superstar on the Pirates in years? Apparently so. Rumors have begun to leak from within the Pirates organization that they intend to shop Andrew McCutchen over the off season. They are believed to be targeting two or more prospects in return for the 29 year old center fielder, according to an unnamed American League scout. Could Toronto make a bid for McCutchen with this price tag? Would McCutchen really be a good fit for them? Let's find out.

Throughout his career, Andrew McCutchen has always been consistently great, a superstar of all sorts. He lead the Pirates to back to back playoffs, carrying them on his back the whole way. In 2015, they had a 98 win season, finishing better then the favourited Cubs (whom they unfortunately lost to in the wildcard game), and just behind the Cardinals. For the third straight season, McCutchen and the Pirates played another strong year of baseball, the next year always stronger then the last, until 2016.

Over the course of the 2016 season, the Pirates really seemed to struggle, barely keeping at .500 for the whole season. Even with Starling Marte stepping up big this season, they just couldn't get into the playoffs, being eliminated two weeks before them. During the season, most of the club played well, but there was one outcast... Andrew McCutchen. Throughout the 2016 season, McCutchen was having trouble just being himself, batting in the .250's, home runs in the 20's, not even 90 RBI. He didn't even make the all-star game for the first time in five years! Offensively, he was nothing like he used to be, putting up numbers similar, and even worse then his rookie season! Fortunately for him, his defense was still great, flashing the leather every now and then, but still not the former MVP that we know and love.

You may be asking yourself now, "Why would Toronto try to trade for him if he is doing so bad?" Here is my answer: it was only one year. Over McCutchen's eight year career with the Pirates, he has been great. He just had one bad year, which is this year. Even though his numbers were bad, he showed many glimpses of the 2013 MVP McCutchen. He hit three home runs in one game near the beginning of the year with many more multi homer games to follow, he had many clutch RBI's and hits that many players would never have gotten, he made diving catches and threw out runners like it was nothing! This is why Toronto should trade for him! Hopefully you have switched sides by now.

Going into the 2016-17 off season, the Blue Jays have many questions regarding their free agent sluggers, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. During the course of 2016, we Jays fans have seen Encarnacion bomb home runs, hit clutch RBI's, do everything he can to get us some wins. We also saw Bautista do the same thing... Just less often and during the little time that he wasn't on the disabled list. Not only did he miss lots of time, he was losing production due to age! His numbers are declining while Encarnacion's are getting better! Take a look at this going into free agency, and pick who you would like to have back (keep in mind that Encarnacion is 33 and Bautista is 36). Now add the fact that Bautista is asking for 20-30 million dollars a year. Now which of the two would you sign back? I hope you said Edwin.

Now that we have agreed that Bautista is going to have to go, we must also consider that Michael Saunders is a free agent too. He is much younger (29) and still has many years until his production begins to decline. He is someone that we should retain rather then Bautista. With Bautista gone, we now need another starting caliber outfielder because we only have Carrera, Pompey and Melvin Upton Jr. (who has struggled ever since he has joined Toronto). So, who is a good fit to take this position for an affordable amount? McCutchen.

For the 2017 season, McCutchen is only owed $14 million with a 2018 club option for $14.5 million. This fits in Toronto's budget perfectly. Coming of the season that he just had, the trade price will likely be pretty cheap, and with the right package, they might even pay a couple million of McCutchen's salary for us.

As I said earlier in the article, the Pirates are seeking two or more prospects in return for the multi time silver slugger, which also fits Toronto perfectly. In a deal for McCutchen, the Blue Jays would likely have make a deal around Sean Reid-Foley (RHP, Jays NO. 2 overall prospect), Anthony Alford (OF, Jays NO. 3 overall prospect), Max Pentecost (C, Jays NO. 14 overall prospect), and Aaron Loup (LHP).

Pittsburgh would like this deal because:

1. Sean Reid-Foley is a starter, which they need desperately.

2. Anthony Alford is an outfielder who would fill the gap of McCutchen within a few years.

3. Max Pentecost because Cervelli will start to age in a few years

4. Aaron Loup, because the Pirates need relievers.

This deal would also be OK with the Jays because:

1. Losing Reid-Foley doesn't mean much as we have a great starting rotation and many young starters.

2. The Jays wouldn't need to worry about Alford because they would have a youngish outfield (25, 29, and 29 including McCutchen).

3. The loss of Pentecost doesn't hurt Toronto as they have Martin, who won't be replaced any time soon, and Reese McGuire, who is a higher rated catching prospect then Pentecost.

4. Loup going to the Pirates won't matter for us because our bullpen is strong, and he spent most of his time with us in the minors this year.

Overall, this move works out well for both teams. Even if McCutchen doesn't return to his MVP form (which I believe he will), he is still the starting caliber outfielder that the Jays need for an affordable price.