Rangers Ink Andrew McCutchen to Minors Deal

By Nate Miller

The Texas Rangers added to their outfield mix Thursday morning when they agreed to terms with former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen.

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

March 5, 2026

The Texas Rangers added to their outfield mix Thursday morning when they agreed to terms with former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen. News of the development was first reported by Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The new contract is of the minor league variety and has not been confirmed by the club.

Storied Career

With a career that will now enter its 18th season, McCutchen has accomplished a lot. However, he still has plenty of petrol left in the tank. He’s certainly not the player who was named the National League MVP in 2013 and who was an All-Star in five of his first seven seasons in the majors. He’s still a league-average hitter as he goes into his age-39 season in 2026.

For the past three years, Andrew McCutchen has suited back up for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a first-round pick of theirs in 2005. McCutchen broke out as a star in his early days with the Pirates, as he quickly became a fan favorite. The hope for both McCutchen and the Pirates was that he would return to play out his final seasons where it all began. Fans were envisioning a more competitive Bucs club back in the playoffs.

Still Swinging

The 39-year-old is years removed from his peak form but still turned in a .239/.333/.367 (95 wRC+) slash line last year in his final season with the Pirates. His .267/.353/.389 output against left-handed pitching was a bit above average, and he knocked lefties around at a heftier .261/.383/.410 clip as recently as 2023.

What He Brings to Arlington

Andrew McCutchen now heads to the Rangers in hopes of grabbing a spot on their bench. He hits from the right side of the plate. If he makes the team out of spring training, he’ll be a natural platoon complement alongside designated hitter Joc Pederson. McCutchen could also see some time in the outfield corners when the Rangers face lefties, with Wyatt Langford shifting over to center field in place of lefty-swinging Evan Carter, who only has five hits in 68 career plate appearances against southpaws.