Pirate fan has his first good day as a fan in like 20 years

Even though the Cubs benefitted from the Pirates running a AAA team the last 15 years, its not good for baseball.

Glad this is done.



Pirates, McCutchen agree on new contract
Monday, March 05, 2012
By Bill Brink and Michael Sanserino, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Fla. -- The Pirates and star center fielder Andrew McCutchen agreed to terms on a six-year contract worth $51.5 million with a club option for 2018 worth $14.75 million, according to a source.

The contract will buy out McCutchen's remaining arbitration seasons and at least two years of free agency.

McCutchen, 25, is one of the best center fielders in the National League. He earned a spot on the NL All-Star team in 2011 and hit .259 with 23 home runs and 89 RBIs last season.

McCutchen joins Jose Tabata as the only Pirates player with a long-term contract. Tabata signed a six-year, $15 million contract with three club options in August.

McCutchen's contract status has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years as his performance improved. The Pirates discussed an extension early in 2011 but talks stalled as the season progressed.

"We said from the very beginning that we have a plan to build talent and then to retain and build on talent that are key pieces of the organization," team principal owner Bob Nutting told the media last week. "[General manager] Neal [Huntington] has a clear understanding of what those key pieces are."

The contract is comparable to those of Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton, who signed a six-year, $51.25 million contract before the 2010 season, and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, who signed a six-year, $51 million contract before last season.

"When you enter a negotiation, you're at X, the player's at Z, and you work awfully hard to try to find Y," Huntington said at PirateFest in December when discussing a possible contract extension for McCutchen. "There has to be a shared risk on both sides."

The Pirates selected McCutchen 11th overall in the 2005 draft. Upton was the first overall pick in that draft, and Bruce was selected 12th.

McCutchen would have been eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season. He has a career .276 average and .365 on-base percentage. He debuted with the Pirates in 2009.

One good player signed does not end their reign as a AAA team.

you should have given them a shoutout for almost winning the NLCS like 20 years ago

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I understand signing one player doesnt change everything but its a pretty huge deal to Pirates fans who have been fucked over by management forever.

this is good for the league and pittsburgh ..he is a young star on the rise and so is the team, he does not need to go to boston or ny.

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I want to give a preemptive "Shoutout" to the Pittsburgh Pirates for almost winning sixty-eight (68) games in 2012.

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SR 86 is really having a difficult with the shoutout section today.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Cheer up, buddy. Did someone steal your Paul Blair jersey?

Paul Blair! How did you come up with that name? I am literally laughing out loud!

Apropos of nothing, I want to send a belated "Shoutout" to the French armed forces for almost holding off the Nazis. Let me hear you say "HOLLER FRENCH FORCES!!!" Whoo, whoo, whoo!

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70's and 80's mediocre players are forever etched in my brain. Thought you might like that one. I think one of his cards featured his Yankee cap perched precariously on his head.

As hilarious as that is, you have to see how this is a positive for Pirates fans.


Would you shout down a hobo who got an apartment and job and celebrated that?

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I wouldn't really call Blair "mediocre". He was probably the premier defensive outfielder of his time.

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Freedom is our Strength.

Favorite current MLB player.

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I want to send out a "Shoutout" to Paul Blair for almost making the Hall of Fame.


This is a riddle, correct? The answer is: If he had a job and an apartment, he would no longer be a hobo!

What do I win?

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They will trade him at next years deadline.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Dennis Rodman was a better outfielder than Blair.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I do agree with the shoutout.

I assumed he would be traded and/or allowed to walk. Welcome to the 20th century, Pirate fans.

That's the 1, Stoneroses. Nice work.

And JORR, I stand corrected. I will respect my elder's statement regarding Blair's ability to throw the leather around.

The Pirates have also spent fifty million dollars on draft and international signings since 2008.

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Excellent signing for the Pirates. Upton may yet hit a higher ceiling and is younger. McC is superior to Bruce already. However, both those guys are RF and while Cutch isn't a Gold Glover, he is passable at a far more important defensive position. I'd say he is about average to the eye out there with the potential to improve. Even if PIT came up with a CF with superior range, his bat can play in the corners. Only concern with Cutch is he has a smallish frame so you wonder how much more power he is going to develop. Still hit 23 bombs and is easily the franchise player at this point. Nitpicky, but I wonder if he is really going to be a 3-4 hitter in a superior lineup. If this guy was your 1-2 hitter in a stacked lineup, he'd be awesome. Good contract.

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