MLB Trade Rumors: Andrew McCutchen Linked To World Series Contender as Waiver Add

He hasn't been in the playoffs for seven years. And now, at age 38, time is running out for Pittsburgh Pirates icon Andrew McCutchen. When he re-joined the Bucs in 2023, he knew what he was getting into—a team that's nowhere close to postseason contention, and one that doesn't want to spend the money to get there.

Now, two+ years later, after we all assumed that he wanted to finish his career in the City of Bridges, the 17-year veteran is making some noises about "wanting to win"—and if we're all being honest, we know that's not going to be in Pittsburgh.

Here's what Cutch told Pirates beat writer Jason Mackey (h/t heavy.com), when asked if he wants to continue playing next year with the Pirates:

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"I want to win. That's all. I have to do what I need to do, too."

This has prompted Christopher Kline of FanSided to suggest that the Pirates should just do their legendary outfielder/DH a favor, waiver him, and let him sign on with a World Series contender that's badly in need of an outfielder: the Los Angeles Dodgers.

LA has certainly seen enough of the season-long struggles of Michael Conforto in left field, with his .183 average, .606 OPS and woeful OPS+ of 70, making him 30% worse than the average major leaguer. To make matters worse, he's also been poor defensively, in the 7th percentile (yes, that's out of 100) for defensive range.

McCutchen isn't exactly tearing it up this season, but he's still been much better than Conforto, with at least league-average metrics at the plate. And he's been heating up the past few days.

Andrew McCutchen stays red-hot with a 2-run blast 🏴‍☠️ pic.twitter.com/qANMrpy1nr
— MLB (@MLB) August 23, 2025

All baseball fans would love to see McCutchen get a shot at a ring, and his somewhat sad comments lamenting about wanting to win, seemingly knowing he can't do it in Pittsburgh, indicate that he'd be more than fine to give it a shot elsewhere.

Granted, he's only played left field in one game in the past three years, but if he feels he's still up to it, there'd be no more perfect fit down the stretch, than the Dodgers.