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Pirates GM Says McCutchen 'Will Always Be a Pirate'
Even if former MVP has no spot on '26 roster after Ozuna signing
Feb. 10, 2026 at 7:55pm
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Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said the team 'will never shut the door' on potentially finding a role for Andrew McCutchen, a longtime cornerstone of the franchise, even though it appears unlikely McCutchen will make the roster after the team signed veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna.
Why it matters
McCutchen is a beloved figure in Pittsburgh, having played 12 of his 17 MLB seasons with the Pirates and winning the 2013 NL MVP award. The team's comments suggest they want to maintain a strong relationship with McCutchen despite the roster changes.
The details
The Pirates on Monday reached an agreement with Ozuna on a one-year, $12 million contract, which would make it more unlikely that McCutchen, who is unsigned, would be needed on the roster. Ozuna would assume the designated hitter role, which was McCutchen's primary spot in 2025. Cherington said the team is 'focused on the players that are here' and making decisions to put the team 'in the best position to win more games in 2026'.
- The Pirates reached an agreement with Marcell Ozuna on a one-year, $12 million contract on Monday.
The players
Ben Cherington
The general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Andrew McCutchen
A five-time All-Star and the 2013 NL MVP who has played 12 of his 17 seasons in the majors with the Pirates.
Marcell Ozuna
A veteran slugger who signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Pirates.
Don Kelly
The manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
What they’re saying
“I think most people feel that way. I certainly speak for the organization and that's how we feel.”
— Ben Cherington, General Manager
“I think this is a moment in time. And I think there's a long time ahead of us. ... I don't think you ever — the Pirates will never shut the door, completely shut the door, on Andrew McCutchen. That's just how we feel about him. That's not going to happen.”
— Ben Cherington, General Manager
“Andrew's a Pirate and certainly our desire will be to continue to have a really strong relationship with him into the future, whatever that looks like.”
— Ben Cherington, General Manager
“Andrew McCutchen is always going to be a Pirate in everyone's heart and, as a former teammate, you respect him and everything that he means to the team and the city.”
— Don Kelly, Manager
What’s next
The Pirates will continue to focus on preparing for the 2026 season with the players currently on the roster, but the team has not ruled out finding a role for McCutchen in the future.
The takeaway
Despite the roster changes, the Pirates organization remains committed to maintaining a strong relationship with Andrew McCutchen, a beloved figure in Pittsburgh who has spent the majority of his 17-year MLB career with the team.
