Andrew McCutchen still chasing milestones as Rangers deal offers shot at 18th MLB season
Outfielder and designated hitter Andrew McCutchen still has more to prove at 39 years old, and the Texas Rangers could give him the opportunity to do so.
Andrew McCutchen has already accomplished a lot in his 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, but there are still a few milestones within his reach, and he’s not ready to let them go just yet.
The former MVP has reportedly agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, according to the Dallas Morning News. If he makes the roster, the 39-year-old outfielder and designated hitter would enter his 18th Major League season. And while McCutchen is long past his MVP peak, the veteran still has meaningful numbers left to chase.
Milestones within striking distance for Cutch
McCutchen currently sits at 332 career home runs, putting him just 18 away from the 350-homer mark, a milestone reached by fewer than 100 players in MLB history.
He’s also closing in on another major benchmark. With 2,266 career hits, McCutchen would need 234 more to reach 2,500, a number that often strengthens a player’s Hall of Fame odds. Even a part-time role could help him inch closer to both.
A career defined by Pittsburgh and longevity
McCutchen first became a star with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he emerged as one of baseball’s most dynamic players during the early 2010s.
His peak came in 2013, when he captured the National League MVP Award after hitting .317 with 21 home runs and leading Pittsburgh back to the postseason for the first time in two decades.
Over nine seasons with the Pirates, McCutchen became the face of the franchise and earned five All-Star selections.
Later stops with the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers followed before he returned to Pittsburgh for the final chapters of his career.
Even entering his late 30s, McCutchen has remained a serviceable hitter. Over the past three seasons with Pittsburgh, he posted a .736 OPS, largely working in a designated hitter role. His disciplined approach at the plate also hasn’t faded. His 20.7% chase rate in 2025 ranked in the 92nd percentile among hitters, while his walk rate remained well above league average.
Advanced metrics even suggest he deserved better results last season, with his expected batting average and slugging percentage both significantly higher than his actual numbers.
If McCutchen does earn a roster spot with Texas, his impact could extend beyond statistics. Veteran leadership has become one of the most valuable parts of his game, especially after serving as a mentor to younger players during his final years in Pittsburgh.
For the Rangers, that experience, combined with the possibility of milestone history, could make the veteran slugger a compelling addition.
And for McCutchen, he’ll get one more shot at the majors, and maybe a few more numbers etched into baseball history.
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