Andrew McCutchen, a former National League MVP, is frustrated with the Pittsburgh Pirates' decision not to invite him to their annual fan fest, despite his significant contributions to the team. McCutchen, who has played 12 of his 17 MLB seasons in Pittsburgh, took to social media to express his disappointment, highlighting examples of other long-time stars who attended team functions despite not being under contract for the upcoming season.
In response to McCutchen's post, Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington acknowledged the player's importance to the team, stating that his legacy as a Pirate is secure and that the organization aims to maintain a positive relationship with him. However, Cherington's explanation focused on the team's goal of building a winning roster, rather than addressing McCutchen's exclusion from the fan fest.
McCutchen, who is currently a free agent, had a modest performance last season, batting .239 with 13 home runs, 57 RBIs, and a .700 OPS in 135 games. Despite his age, the Pirates' decision to exclude him from the fan fest has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some questioning the team's commitment to maintaining positive relationships with its former players.
