'We'll see what happens': Andrew McCutchen noncommittal about future with Pirates

As the crowd applauded in appreciation, Andrew McCutchen tipped his batting helmet before what might have been his final at-bat for the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

A franchise icon who ranks among the club’s all-time leaders in most major offensive categories, McCutchen also is aware that he is a 38-year-old designated hitter playing on a third consecutive one-year, $5 million contract and sounded like his future is uncertain.

“We’ll see what happens,” McCutchen said. “Obviously, a lot of that stuff is out of my control, so I just need to do my part. I do want to continue playing, so wherever that may be. I’m looking forward to seeing where the offseason takes me. We’ll move on from there. I’ve got six games left, so I’ll try to finish the season strong.”

Andrew McCutchen discusses the ovation before his final at-bat of season at PNC Park and his uncertain future with the Pirates. pic.twitter.com/LmX8xWb1mo

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) September 21, 2025

A five-time All-Star and 2013 National League MVP, McCutchen was traded to the San Francisco Giants in January 2018 and played for the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers before signing with the Pirates before the 2023 season.

At the time, McCutchen believed that the Pirates were on the cusp of becoming a contender. Instead, they have followed back-to-back 76-win seasons with a seventh consecutive losing campaign. McCutchen has made it clear he wants to finish his career with the Pirates but that he also wants to chase a world championship.

“That’s the goal,” McCutchen said. “I’m not necessarily just here to be here. It would be good to have that opportunity, but we’ll pass that bridge when we get there.”

McCutchen got the scoring started with an RBI single for the Pirates in the first inning of their 11-0 win over the Athletics on Sunday afternoon. He went 1 for 4, drawing a leadoff walk in the fifth inning and scored on Joey Bart’s three-run home run.

But McCutchen was disappointed with his final at-bat, when he worked a full count only to be called out on strikes in a nine-pitch battle with Plum graduate Scott McGough. McCutchen received another standing ovation as he walked back to the dugout after making the final out.

“Obviously, not the way that I wanted that at-bat to go,” McCutchen said. “From the first pitch, I knew it was going to be a battle. I tried to do my best to have a good at-bat but ended up losing that battle. ABS (Automated Ball-Strike system) is coming, so I can’t wait.”

McCutchen downplayed the ovation he received from the crowd of 16,107, noting that he has received a warm welcome every plate appearance at PNC Park since returning to the Pirates in 2023.

“Every at-bat is special to me. I try not to put one over the other. I try not to take it for granted, the first at-bat or the last one. They’re all special,” McCutchen said. “They’ve been doing it all year. It wasn’t one time. This isn’t the first time that they did this. They’ve been great all year with every at-bat, so from my first at-bat to this one. They’ve been great. They’ve been loud. This one didn’t stand out more than the other ones. They’ve always done it. I appreciate them doing it.”