McCutchen's demands

[CAfan]

To me, the gap between Kemp and McCutchen is vast and wide.  I live in LA and see a lot of Dodgers games, and got the package to see the pirates this year.  Kemp is better defensively, has better power, and better use of his speed.  McCutchen may be the games fastest player but is not a great base stealer, and he will never have Kemp's power.  I think he can improve and I keep thinking he will be a .300 hitter, but he hasn't looked much like one yet.

I get that he is the best thing to come through our farm system in a while, but I don't know that he will ever be a true superstar in the Kemp, Tulowitski mold.

I am entirely open to being proven wrong though.

[ECBucs]

I don't think Andrew is a Kemp yet, but he is a Kemp light right now.

I can see him putting up a higher average with less power than Kemp (I doubt Andrew ever is consistent 25 homer plus hitter).

Still Andrew's lifetime OBA is 365 and Kemp's is 350

While Kemp has ops of 846 compared to 822.

Kemp is about 2 years older.

So I could see Andrew seeing Kemp at $20 million and saying I'm worth $17 million.

[markson33]

I don't disagree that Cutch is not as good as Kemp, but he is the next best thing.  I also think that 2011 was a down year for him in terms of batting average.  Besides, if these reports are true, Andrew isn't asking for Kemp money.

Maybe Cargo is a better comp (7 yrs $80), but he isn't really a CF and supposedly took a discount to stay in Colorado.

[Dogknot3]

I don't think the local media would bring out this story especially if it isn't true.  I understand it is heresay, but a media member has to be way more confident in their sources and better site some sources if they are goign to run a story like that.  If they are wrong, they could be banned from all Pirates related information or have their publication be banned too.

The scout knows because has been in discussion about a trade with the Pirates for McCutchen and other players.  of course, that is what I was told.

I ten year deal for $170 million woudl still be a huge contract for McCutchen.  He has th emakings to be a that great player, but he hasn't done yet. 

If this is true, it sucks the Pirates are in this situation with McCutchen.

[bradlej31]

This $17M figure means nothing without the years.   I'm assuming it's for 5 years.   

[CentralCABucsFan]

The scout knows because has been in discussion about a trade with the Pirates for McCutchen and other players.  of course, that is what I was told.

I'm pretty sure scouts speculate far more than they know.  They are scouts, not negotiators.  This is useless info to me.  Not only is the source suspect, but it really matters what the $17 million refers to.  $17 million for next season is silly, but $17 million to buy out a free agent season is right on the money.

[Dogknot3]

That's fine.  I am not taking the information I got as Gospel either. 

It was interesting to hear because we have discussed it here too.  I have always thought that McCutchen is the one holding up the deal.  Of course, I have no idea what the Pirates have offered him.  The Pirates have been spending money on the draft.  I would think they would keep spending money on their home grown talent.

I also think McCutchen is foolish for not taking a good penny now, upfront.  Why make $500,000 if you can make $3 million or so next year?  That $3 million can set him up for life.  That is my opinion.

[gamecckfn]

The scout knows because has been in discussion about a trade with the Pirates for McCutchen and other players.  of course, that is what I was told.

I'm pretty sure scouts speculate far more than they know.  They are scouts, not negotiators.  This is useless info to me.  Not only is the source suspect, but it really matters what the $17 million refers to.  $17 million for next season is silly, but $17 million to buy out a free agent season is right on the money.

I agree.  $17 Million for this year or really any of the next 3 is delusional.

[McCutchenIsTheTruth]

The scout knows because has been in discussion about a trade with the Pirates for McCutchen and other players.  of course, that is what I was told.

I'm pretty sure scouts speculate far more than they know.  They are scouts, not negotiators.  This is useless info to me.  Not only is the source suspect, but it really matters what the $17 million refers to.  $17 million for next season is silly, but $17 million to buy out a free agent season is right on the money.

I agree.  $17 Million for this year or really any of the next 3 is delusional.

Yes, we need way more information.

For example, if it's 5/51 (1 million this year, 8 in '13, 11 in '14, 14 in '15 and then 17 in '16 - Those first four numbers are reasonable numbers for what we will pay him in arb if we just keep him until he becomes a free agent, then 17 for his first free agency year), then I'd do it (in a heartbeat).

However, if he's looking for say 5/85, then he's insane.  That's actually paying him 30 million plus for a year of free agency (I doubt very much we will pay him more than 55 million over the next four years).

[gamecckfn]

The scout knows because has been in discussion about a trade with the Pirates for McCutchen and other players.  of course, that is what I was told.

I'm pretty sure scouts speculate far more than they know.  They are scouts, not negotiators.  This is useless info to me.  Not only is the source suspect, but it really matters what the $17 million refers to.  $17 million for next season is silly, but $17 million to buy out a free agent season is right on the money.

I agree.  $17 Million for this year or really any of the next 3 is delusional.

Yes, we need way more information.

For example, if it's 5/51 (1 million this year, 8 in '13, 11 in '14, 14 in '15 and then 17 in '16 - Those first four numbers are reasonable numbers for what we will pay him in arb if we just keep him until he becomes a free agent, then 17 for his first free agency year), then I'd do it (in a heartbeat).

However, if he's looking for say 5/85, then he's insane.  That's actually paying him 30 million plus for a year of free agency (I doubt very much we will pay him more than 55 million over the next four years).

Agreed, that makes sense.