:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58332583/usa_today_10324498.0.jpg)
The Giants have agreed to acquire outfielder Andrew McCutchen and cash from the Pirates for right-handed pitcher Kyle Crick and outfielder Bryan Reynolds, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Jon Heyman and Robert Murray of FanRag Sports first reported the sides were in serious talks.
McCutchen is the second major veteran to join the Giants this winter, adding a potent outfield bat to a lineup that already added Evan Longoria this winter. San Francisco has been in pursuit of a star outfielder all winter, being linked to Jay Bruce, Lorenzo Cain and J.D. Martinez since the end of the season.
McCutchen, 31, had a bit of a career resurgence in 2017, hitting .279/.363/.486 with 28 homers and 88 RBI for the Pirates in his ninth and final season with the club. He’ll be a free agent after this upcoming season, being owed $14.5 million in the final year of a seven-year contract.
McCutchen is the second Pirates veteran to be shipped off in three days, joining Gerrit Cole, who was dealt to the Astros. Pittsburgh, coming off a 75-87 record and fourth place finish in the NL Central, could also trade Josh Harrison and other pieces as it embarks on a rebuild.
McCutchen ends his stint with the Pirates as one of the most accomplished players in club history, with five All-Star appearances, four Silver Slugger awards and an NL MVP award (2013). His final line with Pittsburgh is .291/.379/.487 with 203 homers and 725 RBI.
Crick and Reynolds join Joe Musgrove, Michael Feliz, Colin Moran and Jason Martin as the newest young members of the Pirates organization.
Crick, 25, made 30 appearances in the Giants bullpen this season, posting a 3.06 ERA and 3.90 FIP in 32.1 innings in his first major-league stint. He’s expected to join a Pirates bullpen that is expected to include Feliz, George Kontos and Daniel Hudson in front of closer Felipe Rivero.
Reynolds, 22, was the Giants’ second-round pick (59th overall) in 2016 and was recently ranked by Baseball America as the fifth-best prospect in the system. The ex-Vanderbilt outfielder hit .312/.364/.462 with 10 homers at Hi-A San Jose in 2017 and projects as a major-league center-fielder with plus bat speed as a switch-hitter.