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Chicago Cubs will learn a lot from rivals’ moves at Winter Meetings

By Jake Misener

Oct 14, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Jed Hoyer, General Manager for the Chicago Cubs, talks with media during workouts the day prior to the start of the NLCS baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Jed Hoyer, General Manager for the Chicago Cubs, talks with media during workouts the day prior to the start of the NLCS baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison (5) crosses home plate to score a run and is greeted by center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison (5) crosses home plate to score a run and is greeted by center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

 Pittsburgh Pirates trade a pair of key roster pieces

The thought of Andrew McCutchen playing somewhere besides Pittsburgh once seemed unfathomable. If rumors are to be believed, that day may soon be upon us.

The Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals are both believed to be in on the former MVP. McCutchen is coming off the worst season of his career, which could diminish his value to some.

His OPS fell over 100 points from 2015 to 2016 and the Pirates failed to reach the postseason for the first time since 2012. Both McCutchen and Josh Harrison could be on the move, with the former potentially leaving the organization that drafted him back in 2005.

He has hit at least 20 homers in six straight seasons, including a career-high 31 back in 2012. Under team control through 2018 via team option, McCutchen may be a key veteran piece to another big player in the National League.

The Nationals are the clear-cut frontrunners for the franchise cornerstone. For the better part of a week, the two sides discussed “all kinds of angles” to get a deal done. Trea Turner is “off-limits,” but outside of that it appears everything is open to discussion.

Losing Andrew McCutchen puts the Pirates in full-blown rebuild mode and shakes up the division in a big way. This would likely leave the NL Central to the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, a matchup that we’ve all grown to love.

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