MLB 2017: One prediction for each team

Pittsburgh Pirates: McCutchen is an All-Star and finishes the year with the Buccos

For some reason, the Pirates seemed hell-bent on trading All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen at the Winter Meetings in December. Their trade talks fell apart, and McCutchen is still in Pittsburgh, albeit feeling a little unsure of his future. The tables have turned quickly, though, and the Pirates re-signed Ivan Nova, and are in hot pursuit of Jose Quintana of the White Sox.

The 2017 season is a chance for McCutchen to prove his poor showing in 2016 was an anomaly. In his age-29 season, the 2013 NL MVP slashed .256/.336/.430 with declining speed and defense. He did turn things around in August and September after a few days on the bench. Over the final 56 games of the year, McCutchen hit nine home runs and drove in 36 while posting an OPS of .852 — numbers that are very much in line with his career norms.

We may never know for sure what held McCutchen back during the first half of the 2016 season. He may have had a minor hand or wrist injury. Regardless, at his age, and with his pedigree, McCutchen should be back to playing at an All-Star level for an entire year. One thing the Pirates must do, however, is allow Starling Marte to take over in center field with McCutchen shifting to a corner.

The Pirates should be able to compete for a wild-card spot next year, especially if they’re able to acquire Quintana. Trading McCutchen this winter would have been an ill-advised move, and Pittsburgh will be lucky the talks never went to the next step.