Yankees OF Andrew McCutchen has been playing in New York City for about a month now, and he is already picturing himself in pinstripes next season.

At least, that's what he hopes can happen once he hits the free agent market. McCutchen, who earned $14.75 million this season, sees life with the Yankees in 2019 -- that is if they want to make it happen.

"This is the first year being out of PIttsburgh, so being in San Francisco, I had to tell myself that was a place where I could be beyond this year and I'm thinking the same thing about New York," McCutchen told NJ.com's Randy Miller. "This is the place I could be beyond this year. I'm not sure if it will be. It's a possibility.

"This is definitely not a place where I'm like, 'I don't want to be here.' This is a great organization."

If they can get him on a "reasonable deal," the Yankees want McCutchen back next season, reports Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, who adds that the Yankees value what McCutchen offers on the field and in the clubhouse. But there are a few decisions that must be made before a deal can be discussed.

For one, veteran OF Brett Gardner has an option for next season for $12.5 million. McCutchen has already taken a good chunk of time away from Gardner in the outfield, and it would only be $2 million to Gardner out.

But what about Clint Frazier, who has been concussion issues that has kept him from playing? Or Jacoby Ellsbury, who is fighting hard to get back next season? Even the prospect of signing top free agent Bryce Harper isn't out of the cards.

The Yankees must consider all these options before jumping on a McCutchen deal. He knows that, which is why he wouldn't call the Yankees his first choice in free agency.

"All those things are why I don't think about it now," McCutchen said. "It's too early for me to be even thinking about free agency and where I may be at next year. I can't let my mind go there because then it takes away from the importance of what I'm doing now. There will come a time when baseball's done and I'm actually able to sit down and give it time."

Since being acquired by the Yankees on Aug. 31, McCutchen is hitting .233/.424/.493 with five homers and nine RBI over 22 games.

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