McCutchen Frustrated by Pirates Fan Festival Exclusion

Andrew McCutchen, the longtime face of the Pittsburgh Pirates, expressed public frustration on Saturday after the organization did not invite him to its annual preseason fan festival, highlighting tensions as the 39-year-old free agent remains unsigned for the 2026 season.

McCutchen, who has spent 12 of his 17 major league seasons with the Pirates across two stints, took to X to voice his disappointment. He compared his situation to other longtime stars, such as Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina with the St. Louis Cardinals, Clayton Kershaw with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Miguel Cabrera with the Detroit Tigers, who were included in team events despite uncertain contract statuses. "I wonder, did the Cards do this to Wainwright, Pujols, Yadi? Dodgers to Kershaw? Tigers to Miggy? The list goes on and on," McCutchen wrote. He emphasized the personal significance, adding, "If this is my last year, it would have been nice to meet the fans one last time as a player. Talk to them about my appreciation for them over the years. Shake that little kid's hand or hug the fan that's been a fan since Clemente."

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington addressed the absence during the event,...