On Monday afternoon, the Giants completed a blockbuster trade to acquire Pirates’ outfielder Andrew McCutchen in exchange for reliever Kyle Crick and 2016 second round draft choice Bryan Reynolds.
Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic first reported the names involved in the trade between San Francisco and Pittsburgh, but Baggarly noted that he was unclear if there was any money being exchanged in the deal.
Confirmed: Bryan Reynolds and Kyle Crick to Pittsburgh for McCutchen. Unclear if there is any money being exchanged. Doesn't appear to be.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 15, 2018
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Pirates have agreed to pay a portion of the $14.5 million McCutchen is owed in 2018, which should provide the Giants with additional payroll flexibility next season. General manager Bobby Evans appears determined to keep San Francisco’s payroll under the $197 million luxury tax threshold, and McCutchen’s full salary moves the franchise much closer to the tax ceiling. Any salary the Pirates agree to pay helps the Giants in their quest to stay under the tax, although it remains unclear whether Pittsburgh would agree to pay enough money to allow the Giants to sign a cheap free agent center fielder.
Source: #Pirates will pay a portion of Andrew McCutchen’s 2018 salary as part of today’s trade with the #SFGiants. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 15, 2018