One of the most respected players of his generation just got a tough piece of news. The Texas Rangers designated former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen for assignment after he hit .192 across 37 games.
McCutchen, now 39, signed a minor league deal with Texas back on March 6 and was given an abbreviated spring training to show he still had something left. The numbers did not cooperate. He finished with two doubles, one home run, and five RBIs.
The move was spurred by the lingering absences of shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Josh Smith, with the Rangers turning to free agent infielder Nicky Lopez to address their infield depth.
A Quiet but Notable Role
Here is a fascinating detail. Of McCutchen’s plate appearances with Texas, 21 came as a pinch hitter, which were the most pinch-hit at-bats of any MLB player this season. He was essentially a bench bat brought in for situational spots, and the role never produced.
That is a humbling assignment for a player who was once the face of the Pittsburgh Pirates and an MVP. But it also speaks to McCutchen’s professionalism that he took on a pinch-hitting role at this stage of his career and did it without complaint.
The Rangers now have seven days to trade, release, or outright him to the minor leagues. Given his age and his numbers, a trade feels unlikely, which means the most probable outcomes are a release or an outright.
What Comes Next for a Beloved Veteran
The real question is whether McCutchen wants to keep going. He is a five-time All-Star, a former MVP, and the kind of clubhouse presence that contending teams value. Some team might give him another look as a veteran bat off the bench, especially closer to the deadline when contenders go shopping.
But there is no shame if this is where it ends. McCutchen has had a tremendous career, and a .192 stretch at 39 is not how anyone should remember him. The body eventually wins, even for the greats, and there is no shame in that for a player who gave the sport so much over so many years.
If a contender comes calling for a respected veteran who can mentor young players and deliver a clutch pinch-hit, McCutchen still has value. If not, he can walk away having earned the respect of the entire sport.
Either way, this DFA is a reminder that even the best players eventually face the hardest part of the game. The end.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
