The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday for right-hander Kyle Crick, minor league outfielder Bryan Reynolds and $500,000 in international signing bonus allocation.
Pittsburgh also will send the Giants cash to cover part of McCutchen's $14.75 million salary.
The 31-year-old McCutchen, a former National League MVP and the face of the Pirates' franchise, became the second star jettisoned by Pittsburgh in three days. Ace Gerrit Cole was traded to Houston on Saturday.
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said the trade was "one of the most emotionally agonizing decisions that we have had to make in my tenure."
"Andrew helped create so many special memories both on and off the field for me, our organization and our fans. He did so while always carrying himself with humility, dignity and grace," Nutting said.
Pittsburgh ended a two-decade postseason drought in 2013 and made three straight playoff appearances before falling to 78-83 in 2016 and 75-87 last year.
"Making the right decision for the Pirates organization is at times difficult and, on rare occasions, painful," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said. "No player was more disappointed than Andrew that we did not break through and win a World Series championship for the city of Pittsburgh."
Earlier in the offseason, the Giants acquired third baseman Evan Longoria from Tampa Bay.
McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP, takes over in center from Denard Span, who was traded to the Rays in the Longoria deal. San Francisco wanted more production and steady defense from the center field position after a last-place season in the NL West.
The Giants are hoping McCutchen will bolster an outfield that lacks proven veteran depth beyond Hunter Pence.