By most measures, Andrew McCutchen’s 25-game stint with the Yankees in 2018 was a success.
After spending a mediocre bulk of the season with the Giants, McCutchen took over the leadoff spot in the Yankees lineup, won the starting left-field job over Brett Gardner and reached base at a .421 clip, while scoring 18 runs in just 87 at-bats.
He hoped he could parlay his solid play down the stretch into a significant free-agent contract, maybe in The Bronx. But as the offseason began, he heard nothing but crickets, with the Yankees appearing to show no interest.