Morning Rundown: Andrew McCutchen contract official, Pirates sign Ryder Ryan, minor leaguer retires
Busy Monday in the Pirates' system
Some news/notes around the system from Monday.
—The Andrew McCutchen deal became official on Monday, with Tristan Gray getting designated for assignment as the corresponding move.
McCutchen, 38, hit .232/.328/.411 with 20 home runs last year, his first with that many (20+) since 2021 and his 10th season overall where he reached that mark.
He should take over the primary DH duties once again in 2025.
Gray was claimed off waivers earlier in the offseason from the Athletics.
—The Pirates signed right-handed pitcher Ryder Ryan to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.
Ryan, 29, spent the 2024 season with the Pirates, splitting time between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. In 15 games in the majors last year, Ryan posted a 5.66 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 20.2 IP.
—According to the transaction log, first baseman Josiah Sightler has retired. Drafted in the 15th round in 2023, Sightler demolished Single-A getting promoted after 18 games. It was more of a struggle after that, and he had struck out in 39% of his plate appearances since then.
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Something to watch for: BA is starting a podcast series of "deep dives" for each organization. So far they've done the Braves and Cards. I haven't listened, but judging from the index for each, they seem to be going a good bit further than the usual top prospect list. No schedule, so I don't know when they'll get to the Pirates.
More from "Baseball Wit and Wisdom", as we push the dogs off the bed after a three-dog night, and pull on two pairs of sweat pants, a hoody and a jacket, just to make the morning coffee while we (less) patiently wait for signs of spring and spring training:
"Baseball is a lot like life. The line drives are caught, the squibbers go for base hits. It's an unfair game."
-- Rod Kanehl, Mets infielder (career BABIP of .262).