PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Andrew McCutchen said it seemed to take longer than last year, but it now seems like an annual thing that one of the franchise's all-time greats signs a one-year contract to continue his career.
It's the third consecutive year McCutchen has agreed for one more season. The reason he's continuing at 38-years-old?
"I'm still excited," McCutchen said. "I still do get excited to see the guys, to prepare for the season and get ready and ultimately I think the biggest thing for me is knowing I can still compete and can still be able to produce."
"I still feel like there's a way that I can be better and I know that it's still in there. You're always searching for it. You always feel like it's there."
He says he will continue until the point where he figures he's done it all or doesn't still search for a way to get better. McCutchen said he's getting close to that point, but he's not there yet.
One thing he wants to do is something many want to do, especially this time of year, lose weight. McCutchen said he was too heavy last season. He was over 200 pounds and wants to get to between 190-195 and he said that will help him keep his legs throughout the season. If he does that, he believes he can produce for 120 games this season.
Last year he played exactly 120 games hitting .232 with a .328 on-base percentage and .793 OPS. He hit 18 doubles, 20 home runs and drove in 50. It's only the second time since 2018 that he reached 20 home runs.
McCutchen believes if this team stays healthy, and that's the number one thing, along with doing the small things right, they 'have a really good opportunity and have a chance of some success'. A 17-year veteran, McCutchen said he's still here to help teach those bits of wisdom, the nuances of the game like Jack Wilson did for him when in was coming up through the organization.
"Being able to lead in any way that I can," McCutchen said. "That's the small things that you do when the game is going on and I'm watching the game and I'm watching how a pitcher is pitching. It's how I go to the next guy and I go 'Hey, this is what I'm seeing' and then it's up to that guy or that teammate to shake his head yes and take that and go with it and be able to carry that to the next person. It's small stuff like that."
McCutchen said he likes the vibe of this team. He believes this younger group is understanding who they are and in turn who this team can be. It's about learning every day, from the wins and losses, and quickly move on to the next day.
"It's still there," McCutchen said. "I'm still excited."
As long as he continues to be a productive player.
Milestone watch
Here are some players McCutchen could pass this season in several categories
· 2,152 career hits--1 from tying Don Mattingly, 43 hits from Jason Kendall, 80 hits from Willie Stargell
· 429 doubles—1 from tying Tim Raines, 11 from Roberto Clemente
· 319 home runs—1 from passing Cecil & Prince Fielder, 2 from Ron Gant, 13 from Bobby Bonds, 16 from Darryl Strawberry, 20 from Dave Parker & Boog Powell
· 1095 RBI—4 from Mattingly, 16 from Fred Lynn & George Hendrick, 24 from Dick Allen, 38 from Joe Morgan
· 1116 walks—13 from Cal Ripken, 44 from Craig Biggio
