The Pittsburgh Pirates will formally bid farewell to Andrew McCutchen, who reportedly found a new home on Thursday.
McCutchen signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, as first reported by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The 2013 National League MVP winner leaves the organization he’s spent 12 of 17 seasons with, including the last three years.
Bryan Reynolds currently represents Pittsburgh’s longest-tenured position player. The outfielder discussed McCutchen’s departure to Pirates reporter Alex Stumpf, noting that the writing was on the wall for a breakup after the Pirates added another designated hitter.
“I mean, when we signed Ozuna, I think everybody kind of knew that he wasn’t going to be back,” Reynolds said of McCutchen. “I guess that kind of put him in a tough spot with timing and everything. It’s good that he latched on with somebody and hopefully just keeps going.”
McCutchen leaves ninth on Pittsburgh’s all-time franchise leaderboard in games played (1,713) and hits (1,781). His 248 home runs with the organization rank third behind Hall of Fame icons Willie Stargell and Ralph Kiner.
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The 2005 first-round pick led the Pirates to three straight postseasons from 2013 to 2015. McCutchen made five All-Star appearances during his first stint in Pittsburgh, playing with four different teams (Giants, Yankees, Phillies, Brewers) from 2018 to 2022 before returning to his original club.
Although no longer a Silver Slugger or Gold Glove outfielder, McCutchen contributed a .345 on-base percentage over the last three seasons. Yet his power sagged to a career-worst .128 ISO last year, and the Pirates signed Ozuna as part of an offseason overhaul.
McCutchen will instead compete for a roster spot on the Rangers, who have missed the playoffs two straight times since winning the 2023 World Series. The 39-year-old could bat against left-handed hitters in a DH platoon with Joc Pederson if he makes the team.
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