Former MVP Andrew McCutchen Signs Minor League Contract with Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers, the reigning World Series champions, have signed a minor league contract with 39-year-old veteran Andrew McCutchen. The information, provided by an anonymous source close to the club, was confirmed by three American news agencies: Reuters, Associated Press, and The New York Times. This type of deal means McCutchen will begin season preparations at the Rangers' training camp but is not yet a member of the team's 40-man main roster. The Arlington-based club gains the ability to assess the veteran player's form and potentially call him up to Major League Baseball during the season. Andrew McCutchen is one of the most recognizable players of his generation. For nine seasons, he was the face of the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2013. During his 17-year MLB career, he was selected to the All-Star Game five times, won the Gold Glove Award for best defensive player at his position four times, and won the Silver Slugger Award for best hitter in the league once. His arrival at the Rangers represents an attempt to bolster the team with experience and offensive potential off the bench. In the 2025 season, McCutchen played for the Milwaukee Brewers, where in 135 games he recorded a .237 batting average, hit 16 home runs, and had 57 RBI (runs batted in). The Rangers, who won their first-ever championship last year, lost several key players after the season, including hitting powerhouse Corey Seager, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. McCutchen's signing could be part of a strategy to fill out the roster with proven veterans who know how to win games. Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of professional baseball competition in the United States and Canada, existing since 1903. It consists of two leagues: the American League and the National League, with the winners of each meeting in the final World Series to compete for the championship. Minor league contracts are a common roster management tool, allowing clubs to test players without committing a spot on the main roster. Unlike guaranteed major league roster contracts, minor league deals offer clubs greater flexibility. A player signing such a contract typically receives an invitation to the club's spring training camp, where they have a chance to impress the coaching staff. If they do not make the final 26-man roster for the season opener, they can be assigned to one of the Rangers' affiliate clubs in the lower leagues (the minors). From there, they can be called up to the main roster at any point during the season if the club deems their services needed. For a 39-year-old veteran, this is a chance to extend his career with a team that achieved the ultimate success last season.