Watch CBS News

Pirates' Andrew McCutchen Traded To San Francisco Giants

Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- Just two days after the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Gerrit Cole, they have now also traded the face of their franchise.

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported Monday afternoon that sources said the San Francisco Giants have agreed to acquire outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the Pirates, pending a review of medical records.

McCutchen tweeted several hours later, thanking the fans and the city.

The Pirates then made the trade official with this tweet:

The Pirates acquired pitcher Kyle Crick, minor league outfielder Bryan Reynolds and $500,000 in international bonus pool space from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for McCutchen and cash considerations.

Pittsburgh also will send the Giants cash to cover part of McCutchen's $14.75 million salary.

"There is simply nothing easy about this decision. It is one of the most emotionally agonizing decisions that we have had to make in my tenure," Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a release.

"As tremendous as Andrew is on the baseball field, he is even more special off of it. By dedicating himself to making a difference in the lives of so many others in our community, Andrew has truly lived the Roberto Clemente legacy of ensuring that he does not waste a single moment of his time here on earth," Pirates President Frank Coonelly said in a release.

This news comes just two days after the Pirates traded pitcher Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros in exchange for four players.

Pirates players are taking to social media to react to the trade news.

McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP, takes over in center from Denard Span, who was traded to the Rays in the Longoria deal. San Francisco wanted more production and steady defense from the center field position after a surprising last-place season in the NL West.

The reliable, durable 31-year-old McCutchen has played at least 153 games in each of the past three seasons for the Pirates, batting .279 with 28 home runs and 88 RBIs in 156 games in 2017. But he has not been an All-Star since 2015, when he was selected for the fifth straight season.

Stay With KDKA.com For More Details

(TM and © Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.