The Texas Rangers continue to seek out right-handed hitters for their roster, and they landed on former MVP Andrew McCutchen to fill a needed role.
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Multiple sources confirmed Thursday that the Texas Rangers reached an agreement with Andrew McCutchen on a minor-league deal. The former National MVP seemed to confirm it himself on Twitter.
He posted a short video of himself decked out from head to toe in cowboy gear after dismounting his horse, a hobby horse that must belong to one of his young children. He appears to be completely bought in to playing in Texas.
McCutchen still has to earn his roster spot, which he will attempt to do with a short but earnest buildup with just over two weeks left in spring training. His task as a right-handed hitter is to prove that he can hit left-handed pitching better than anyone else in camp.
If he does that, a roster spot is his.
The deal is not official, hence no comment from the club. But the low-risk signing — McCutchen can make a maximum of only $2.5 million if he makes the team — makes sense as the Rangers try to find a platoon partner for designated Joc Pederson and outfielder Evan Carter.
The Rangers are curious to know if McCutchen is in shape physically and how sharp he has stayed while waiting for the right deal to come along. He’s a veteran of 17 seasons, but he’s also 39. The body might have the same bounce it once did.
If all is where it should be, McCutchen could be in games at some point next week. If he isn’t ready for Cactus League play, he can slide into minor-league games to catch up on at-bats.
The Rangers searched all season for a part-time right-handed bat. They liked Austin Hays throughout the offseason before seeing him sign with the Padres. Mark Canha was added on a minor-league contract Feb. 15 as another righty-hitting option.
McCutchen had a better 2025 than Canha, playing every day for the Pirates. The overall average was only .239, but he hit 13 homers. He also posted a .749 OPS against all left-handers and was 50 points higher against starters.
Among those who McCutchen will have to fend off for a roster spot is Canha, a veteran and right-handed hitter in his own right. Michael Helman is another righty-hitting outfielder who has minor-league options remaining.
Manager Skip Schumaker is also trying to reshape team chemistry, and McCutchen can help with that as a veteran who has seen just about everything in the game and as a player regarded as a beloved teammate.
President of baseball operations places extreme value on veteran presence and a player’s character, so McCutchen is a fit in that regard, as well.
Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com
