Former National League MVP Andrew McCutchen is heading to the American League for the first time in his long career.
The longtime Pittsburgh Pirates star has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, which includes an invitation to major league spring training as he attempts to earn a spot on the club’s 2026 roster.
McCutchen Begins New Chapter in Texas
McCutchen, now entering his 18th MLB season, spent the majority of his career in the National League, most notably during two different stints in Pittsburgh. While his MVP-caliber production is now in the past, the veteran outfielder still believes he can provide value at the big-league level.
During his three-year reunion with the Pirates from 2023–2025, McCutchen produced a .736 OPS, slightly below league average, with an OPS+ of 95 (100 representing league average). Last season he hit .239 with 13 home runs and a .333 on-base percentage, continuing to show flashes of the plate discipline that defined his prime years.
Across his 17-year career, McCutchen owns a .271 batting average and .822 OPS, numbers that reflect the impact he made during his peak as one of baseball’s most dynamic players.
Remembering McCutchen’s MVP Peak
McCutchen’s best seasons came early in his career with Pittsburgh. He was named an All-Star five times in his first seven seasons, finishing in the top three of National League MVP voting for three consecutive years and winning the award in 2013.
During that dominant stretch, McCutchen posted three straight seasons with an OPS above .900 and delivered multiple 20-homer, 20-steal campaigns, cementing himself as one of the faces of the franchise during the Pirates’ competitive run in the early 2010s.
Now heading into his age-39 season, McCutchen is far removed from that level of production. Still, his leadership and clubhouse presence remain highly valued around the league.
If he can earn a roster spot with Texas this spring, the respected veteran could provide experience and depth to a Rangers team looking to stay competitive in the American League.
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