For the time being, Andrew McCutchen will remain with the Pirates.
The club announced Friday it will exercise the $14.5 million 2018 option on what will be the final year of his seven-year contract, one that when he signed was among the most team-friendly deals in baseball.
But whether he remains in Pittsburgh will once again be a story of much intrigue this winter. The Pirates publicly shopped McCutchen last offseason but were unable to make a deal they believed to be worthwhile. The former National League MVP then went on to have a largely up-and-down season, but mostly filled with highs.
McCutchen finished 2017 with a .279/.363/.486 slash line, 28 homers -- three shy of a career high -- and 88 RBIs. But those figures were largely offset by a porous two months to start the season, which he attributed to a swing he believed made him too rotational.
"I know myself. I've been here long enough. I've played long enough. I've had ups and I've had downs," McCutchen said. "I know how to handle those things and the experience behind all that comes with just playing the game. It's just going out and doing my job."
Despite bringing back the star center fielder, one of the true staples of the franchise, the Pirates must decide this winter if they will once again entertain trade offers for McCutchen.