Giants Trade Rumors: Andrew McCutchen Talks Held with Pirates

The San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates reportedly have held discussions regarding Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, according to Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com.

Those talks reportedly began early in the offseason "without producing any apparent breakthroughs," though Morosi noted that was to be expected, "as the Pirates also proceeded deliberately in their McCutchen trade discussions last offseason."

Morosi also noted that the Giants were disinclined to give up one of their top prospects—first baseman Chris Shaw, pitcher Tyler Beede and outfielder Heliot Ramos are the top three they have, according to MLB.com—but the Pirates reportedly want at least one of those three to move McCutchen. 

McCutchen, 31, is coming off another excellent season. He hit .279 with 28 homers (a career high), 88 RBI and 94 runs, posting a .849 OPS. The five-time All-Star and 2013 NL MVP is entering the final year of his contract, however, and the Pirates seem inclined to move him now rather than risking the possibility of losing him for nothing in free agency:

Buster Olney of ESPN confirmed that McCutchen is among the players the Pirates are discussing in potential trades this winter.

It's certainly questionable if McCutchen is best-suited playing centerfield at this point, but the Giants have also reportedly shown interest in acquiring Cincinnati Reds centerfielder Billy Hamilton, per Morosi, and they are seeking to rebuild quickly via trades. That would allow McCutchen to play in right field, dramatically improving San Francisco's most glaring weakness, its outfield, in the process.

Of course, after giving up infield prospect Christian Arroyo for Evan Longoria, the Giants could significantly deplete their farm system in trades for McCutchen and Hamilton. The Giants could also seek to upgrade in the outfield via free agency, however, with J.D. Martinez, Lorenzo Cain, Jay Bruce and Carlos Gonzalez still on the market. 

But with McCutchen due to make $14.5 million in 2017, per Spotrac.com, he likely would be a cheaper short-term option for the Giants.