[Mackey] Sources: Andrew McCutchen returning to the Pirates. One-year deal pending physical

Not saying this necessarily was part of his decision making, but I think if Cutch is going to make it to the HoF being in Pittsburgh to end his career is probably the best place for him to try and make that happen. In Pittsburgh he gets more playing time than he would in most other places and the best PR/visibility, and being well liked and good optics definitely help with HoF voting.

I think most people right now would say he's HoVG and at 36 he's looks like he doesn't have a ton of time left. He should hit some respectable milestone numbers this year (2000 hits, 400 doubles, 300, home runs, got 200 SB last year) which aren't a HOF milestones on their own but all together show off how he's been a versatile player.

So I could see a scenario where he plays two more years in Pittsburgh, retires a fan favorite, gets over 50 WAR and maybe just being a generally likeable dude and the best player on a franchise that has lacked stars over the last 30 years keeps him on the ballot for a while and then who knows? It worked for Jim Rice.

I'm not saying it's the likeliest outcome, but if it's going to happen it feels like being back in Pittsburgh is the place to do it.