Veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, pending a physical, as he aims for an 18th season in Major League Baseball. The 39-year-old ends his second stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates after the club declined to bring him back. McCutchen confirmed the move on social media with a video featuring a cowboy hat and toy horse.
Andrew McCutchen, a 39-year-old outfielder and designated hitter, has agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, according to a source who spoke to MLB.com on Thursday. The agreement still requires a physical examination, and the Rangers have not yet confirmed it publicly. This move comes as McCutchen seeks to extend his career into a 18th season in 2026.
McCutchen's career began with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who drafted him in 2005. He spent his first nine MLB seasons there from 2009 to 2017, earning five All-Star selections and the 2013 National League MVP award. During that period, the Pirates ended a long playoff drought and reached the postseason three consecutive years. Traded to the San Francisco Giants in January 2018, McCutchen later played for the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers before returning to Pittsburgh for the 2023-2025 seasons.
In 2025, McCutchen posted a .239/.333/.367 line with a 95 OPS+, including 22 doubles, 13 home runs, 57 RBI, and 51 runs in 551 plate appearances. He maintained strong plate discipline, with a 20.7% chase rate in the 92nd percentile and a 12.2% walk rate in the 88th percentile among qualified hitters. Metrics suggested he was unlucky, with an expected batting average of .267 and expected slugging of .429, higher than his actual figures.
The Pirates' decision not to re-sign him stemmed from their poor offensive performance in 2025, finishing last in runs scored. The club added players like Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, and Ryan O'Hearn this offseason to rebuild. McCutchen had expressed a desire to retire as a Pirate, posting on social media in January: "I wonder, did the Cards do this Wainwright/Pujols/Yadi? Dodgers to Kershaw? Tigers to Miggy? The list goes on and on. If this is my last year, it would have been nice to meet the fans one last time as a player." Reports from The Athletic indicated the Pirates recognized mishandling communication with their franchise legend.
With the Rangers, McCutchen could platoon at designated hitter with left-handed Joc Pederson or in the outfield with Evan Carter against lefties, though he has played only 20 outfield games over the past three seasons. His veteran presence would aid younger players, similar to his role in Pittsburgh. He stands 18 home runs shy of 350 and 234 hits from 2,500. Other veterans like Mark Canha are also vying for roster spots.
