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Nationals, Pirates could strike McCutchen deal
- Updated: December 6, 2016
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Andrew McCutchen is still a Pirate, but that could change now that Mark Melancon and Chris Sale will not be Nationals.
The Red Sox made the biggest move of the offseason on Tuesday, acquiring former White Sox ace Sale for a haul of top prospects. On Monday, the Giants jump-started the run on closers by signing Melancon, the former Pirate, to a four-year, $62 million deal.
What does that have to do with McCutchen? Melancon and Sale were rumored to be two of the Nats’ three biggest targets at the Winter Meetings, taking place within range of their home ballpark and fans. The third star they hoped to add? McCutchen, Pittsburgh’s franchise player and its most intriguing tradeable asset.
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It comes as no surprise, then, that the Nationals are likely resetting their sights on McCutchen. They never broke off talks with the Pirates regarding McCutchen, even as the Nats may have focused their attention on Sale over the past few days. Washington was reportedly willing to part with top prospects in their pursuit of Sale, so they may be willing to deal a few of them — the asking price will be high, but not …
