Andrew McCutchen, a beloved player on every team he played on, most notably the Pittsburgh Pirates, wants to end his career where it all started, in Pittsburgh. He won an MVP and was a five-time All-Star during his first stint in black and gold from 2009 through the 2017 season. He bounced around to a few different teams from 2018 through 2022, and then came back to Pittsburgh in 2023, where he played through this past season.
McCutchen, now 39, does not have much left in the tank, and he wants to end his career in Pittsburgh because of the legacy he created there. The Pirates have been adamant, for now at least, about not bringing him back. If he doesn't retire and still wants to play, it will probably be for Pittsburgh, but if he wants to play regardless of team, the Nation's Capital might be a great fit for him.
Let's get the obvious out of the way: the Nationals need veteran leadership, and they need a classy personality who plays the game the right way and can serve as a mentor to the players. Yes, Andrew McCutchen is an outfielder, and the Nationals have a solid outfield core, but Cutch, as he is referred to, can also hit well and play DH, as well as platoon in the outfield.
Let's talk about the fan perspective. Andrew McCutchen isn't the flashiest of names as he once was, and he may not bring in as many fans to the stadium as modern-day, younger stars do—but he has always been a fan favorite among all teams. He is likable among players and fans, and especially for this young Nationals team, a veteran leader is needed, especially a player like McCutchen who has a track record of success over time.
I do believe that the Pirates need to be more considerate to Andrew McCutchen, especially because he has given so much to the Steel City, and has meant so much to Pirates fans; however, I do realize baseball is a business, regardless of how each party sees it, in terms of labor disputes (that's a subject for another time), and teams may have their reasons for not signing players, but this decision of not signing McCutchen will haunt them. If he decides not retire and the Nationals agree to a contract with him, he will be beloved by the fans and be great for the DMV community