Entering the 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates season the team’s best player was center fielder Nate McLouth. He was coming off a 2008 season in which he was a National League All-Star, a Gold Glove Award winner and he led the NL with 46 doubles.
Following his breakout 2008 campaign, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed McLouth to a contract extension through the 2012 season in February 2009. This combined with McLouth’s strong 2008 season made it appear he would be a mainstay in the Pirate outfield for the foreseeable future.
Entering the 2009 season, McLouth had a fast rising prospect by the name of Andrew McCutchen breathing down his neck in center field.