Fansided

5 teams who should trade for Andrew McCutchen

By Joshua Sadlock

Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) in action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) in action against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Oct 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig hits a single against the Chicago Cubs in the 9th inning during game four of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig hits a single against the Chicago Cubs in the 9th inning during game four of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have a glut of outfielders to deal with, as their hodgepodge roster of high-priced former stars continues to work itself out. Adding another outfielder might not be their top priority, but trading for McCutchen could allow them to unload their biggest problem child, Yasiel Puig. Things have actually been somewhat quite on the Puig front, but he was placed on trade waivers in August. The mercurial outfielder handled his midseason demotion to the minor leagues fairly well, save for one Snapchat slipup, and played well when recalled to the majors.

Puig still has a ton of potential, but may need a fresh start to fully tap into it. He showed signs of maturing at times in 2016, but will probably always be hampered by the impossibly high expectations that were placed upon him after his rookie season with the Dodgers. Moving to a sleepier, smaller market like Pittsburgh might be just what he needs. With the Pirates, Puig would share an outfield with two of the most underrated young stars in the game, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco.

McCutchen can fit into the Dodgers outfield opposite Joc Pederson in center field. Players like Trayce Thompson and Andrew Toles profile more as fourth outfielders than starters on a team that really needs to win a title during Clayton Kershaw’s prime. If the Dodgers are willing to take on a little bit more salary, they may even be able to take on infielder Josh Harrison, who is also being shopped by the Pirates. With their impending debt crisis, who really knows how much the Dodgers can handle. Puig and any of the Dodgers top-10 prospects not named Julio Urias could land McCutchen and Harrison.

Home/MLB Trade Rumors