Mark Madden Hot Take: On 2nd thought, Pirates should keep Andrew McCutchen

It’s been just a few days since this space suggested trading Andrew McCutchen if it would be best for the Pittsburgh Pirates. If it would provide decent return.

I’ve already changed my mind.

Whatever prospect the Pirates might get from Texas (or whoever) for McCutchen likely would not pan out. The bad PR from swapping McCutchen wouldn’t be worth the minimal chance of gaining a future major-leaguer.

Not because McCutchen provides fans with an enjoyable nostalgia trip. Not because his leadership steadies the clubhouse. Not because it betrays the original idea of bringing McCutchen back.

But because McCutchen, at 36, is the Pirates’ best player.

Related

• Mark Madden: If trading Andrew McCutchen makes sense for the Pirates, they should
• Tim Benz: We knew an Andrew McCutchen trade rumor would crop up, but this feels awfully quick
• 'I want to be here': Amid trade talk, Andrew McCutchen says he wants to stay with Pirates

The Pirates constantly promise a future that never arrives. The Pirates are never about right now. McCutchen provides something right now.

Going into Saturday’s home game with Milwaukee, McCutchen was on a seven-game hitting streak. He was 14 for 29 over that stretch, posting four doubles, a home run, six runs scored and four RBIs. The Pirates won five of those seven games.

McCutchen’s slash line is .287/.399/.455. He’s got 10 home runs and 47 walks. He ranks eighth among MLB hitters in walks, ninth in on-base percentage.

McCutchen’s late-career rebirth will fizzle, perhaps sooner than later.

But the Pirates, despite ups and downs of insane proportions, don’t stink as bad as usual. The poor quality of the National League Central keeps them in theoretical contention. It’s mostly illusory, but that’s OK.

Keep the illusion alive. Keep McCutchen. He’s the driving force behind such illusion. Keep hope alive as long as possible.

Right now is a lot more fun than always waiting and hoping.