By Rachael Cataldo, Asst. sports editor
Monday, January 15 was another ordinary day for most baseball fans. For Pittsburgh Pirates fans, it was a nightmare to say the least.
The Pirates traded five-time all-star outfielder Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants and acquired right-hander Kyle Crick and outfield prospect Bryan Reynolds.
McCutchen became a fan-favorite in Pittsburgh, after spending nine seasons with the Pirates.
The popular outfielder made impressive diving catches, robbed home runs, and smashed 203 of his own home runs during his time in the Steel City.
In addition to being an allstar numerous times, McCutchen was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2013, won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2015, and was awarded the Silver Slugger Award four times.
McCutchen is off to a hot start with the Giants. On April 7, he went 6-7 for the first time in his career. His final hit was a threerun walk-off homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Many Pittsburgh fans, including myself, were livid when they learned about the trade. Just when things seemed to be looking up for the Pirates, they traded their best player.
The Pirates were just two years removed from a playoff appearance and three years removed from a 98-win season. Before McCutchen and company, the team had been in a seemingly endless 20-year “rebuilding” phase.
McCutchen was well on his way to becoming one of the greatest players in Pirates history. The only thing he was missing was a World Series title.
The Pirates haven’t been to a World Series since 1979 when they came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles in the series.
He had the potential to be recognized as an outfielder with the same caliber of talent as Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, who helped the Pirates capture six NL East division titles, two NL pennants, and two World Series titles in 1971 and 1979.
Since the Pirates’ last appearance in the series, Pittsburgh saw the Steelers win three Super Bowls (XIV, XL, XLIII) and the Penguins bring home five Stanley Cups (1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, 2017).
The Pirates on the other hand had 22 losing seasons in 25 years and have disappointed fans.
While the team struggled last season, and they play in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, they still had the talent to make a playoff run.
After losing McCutchen, allstar pitcher Gerrit Cole, and a few other decent players, it saddens me to say the Pirates are back to the “rebuilding” phase. The Pirates are off to a 9-3 start, but I’m not convinced it will last.