It appears that Andrew McCutchen still has something left in the tank as he is signing a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers with an invite to big league camp. He is set to report to the Rangers’ spring training complex in Surprise, Arizona. If he makes the 40-man roster and is called up to the major league roster, he will earn a salary of $1.5 million. He also has the opportunity to earn an extra million dollars due to incentives.
McCutchen is a player who needs no introduction. Back during the mid-2010s, he was arguably the best player in the sport. Over his 17 seasons, he has slashed .271/.365/.457 with 332 home runs, 1152 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 125. He also racked up a bunch of accolades, being a five-time all-star, four-time silver slugger, a gold glove in 2012, and winning the 2013 NL MVP. But what could McCutchen bring to the Rangers?
What Does Andrew McCutchen Have Left?
While he had a successful career, the past few seasons have seen him take a step back. In 135 games last season, he slashed .239/.333/.367 with 13 home runs, 57 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 95. Not a terrible season, but nowhere close to the player he once was. He also does not hit the ball nearly as hard as he used to. According to Baseball Savant, he had a Hard-Hit% in the 46th percentile and a Barrel% in the 44th percentile. Both are major drops from where they were just a few seasons ago.
The one thing that McCutchen still does well is hit against left-handed pitching. In 131 at-bats against lefties, he slashed .267/.353/.389 with three home runs, 19 RBIs, and a wRC+ of 104. Sure, most of his power came against righties, but he was a better overall hitter against lefties. He can be a bat off the bench that normally faces lefties as a pinch hitter. This would be the best way to make the most out of McCutchen’s dwindling abilities.
Cutch can also help stabilize the Rangers’ locker room. Rumors have been circulating that the Rangers’ locker room last season was not the best. It’s rumored that locker room drama is part of the reason the team traded Marcus Semien this offseason. Throughout his career, McCutchen has been praised for his ability to lead by example. Many players have noticed how he trains and conducts himself, using it as a model for their games. This type of present can help cool some of the tension in the locker room, putting it in a better state.
Of course, all of this hinges on whether McCutchen can make the roster or not. He will need to impress over the next few weeks to see any time in Arlington this season. It is a low-risk, high-reward move.
