Throughout the MLB offseason we will track trade and free agent rumors on the hot stove.
THE RUMOR: The Rangers are in frequent contact with Pirates for center fielder Andrew McCutchen. A deal is possible but not close, as Texas will have to send a better package than what the Nationals and Dodgers are offering.
REPORTED BY: Fox Sports, MLB Network and ESPN.
THE DETAILS: The Pirates feel the 30-year-old outfielder's speed and defense have declined with age and are lining up the best potential trade partners. They're seeking young talent in return, which would match up with the 2013 NL MVP. The Nationals remain "in (the) lead" for McCutchen, a bounceback candidate for 2017 with the Dodgers among the teams checking in.
THIS PAST SEASON: McCutchen, a five-time All-Star, hit just .256/.336/.430 with 24 home runs, 79 RBIs and six stolen bases, but he's still considered one of the best center fielders in the game.
OUR TAKE: The Pirates' biggest need is MLB-ready pitching and a prospect who will mold into McCutchen's replacement in the outfield. The Nationals are reportedly offering outfield prospect Victor Robles and a starting pitching option, such as Joe Ross or Reynaldo Lopez, for McCutchen.
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Texas has a trio of top-pitching prospects in Yohander Mendez, Ariel Jurado and Cole Ragans, but the Rangers have issues of their own in the backhalf of their big-league rotation. Perhaps of bigger need and motivation to land McCutchen are the holes left by free-agent outfielders Ian Desmond and Carlos Gomez.
McCutchen is due $14 million next season, the final guaranteed year of a six-year deal. He's a cheaper option than what the market for free-agent outfielders has already produced, but the Rangers have other outfield options within their own system to promote to full-time roles, such as Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara.