Josh Harrison Trade Rumors: Pirates IF Wants Move After Andrew McCutchen Deal

Pittsburgh Pirates utility man Josh Harrison would like to be traded if the team is going to go through a rebuilding process.

In a statement issued to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Harrison cited comments made by Pirates general manager Neal Huntington as his rationale for wanting to be dealt:

"My passion for Pittsburgh, what it has MEANT to me, what it MEANS to me, can never be questioned. I love this city, I love the fans, I love my teammates. Saying that, the GM is on record as saying, 'When we get back to postseason-caliber baseball, we would love our fans to come back out.' If indeed the team does not expect to contend this year or next, perhaps it would be better for all involved, that I also am traded. I want what is best for the organization that gave me a chance to be a Big Leaguer."

Harrison's comments come after the Pirates traded starting pitcher Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros on Saturday and sent outfielder Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants on Monday. 

Harrison has one guaranteed year remaining on the four-year deal he signed in 2015, though it also includes two team options worth a combined $22 million, per Spotrac.

After making three straight playoff appearances from 2013 to 2015, the Pirates have gone 153-170 over the past two seasons. McCutchen was entering the final season of his contract in 2018, and Cole had two more years of team control.

Harrison hit a career-high 16 home runs in 2017 despite missing 34 games, the final 26 of the season due to a broken hand. The 30-year-old has played every position except catcher, first base and center field in his seven-year MLB career.