Rangers Shake Things Up As McCutchen’s Time With Team Ends

We're about a third of the way through the 2026 MLB season, which means we're starting to figure out what teams are good, what teams are bad, and what teams need to make some moves. And, honestly, the American League as a whole is looking for answers. As of writing this story, there are only 3 teams in the entirety of the American League with an above .500 record. Everyone else is .500 and below.

Which brings us to the Texas Rangers. With a new coaching staff and new talent, expectations were kind of high this season. They're currently 26-29 which isn't great...but thanks to an extremely weak American League (and specifically a super weak AL West), they're still in a good position - only 1.5 games out of first place.

In fact, the AL West is the only division in the American League without a single team with a .500 or better record. The division leading Athletics currently sit at 27-28. My point - the Rangers still have a pretty good shot at making a playoff run.

So, to help bolster the team for a playoff push, they're making some moves to help the team - which includes cutting a former MVP.

READ MORE: Texas Rangers Legends That Never Made an All-Star Team

Texas Rangers DFA Former NL MVP

In a very winnable division, the Rangers are looking for some answers. So, they're making some roster moves hoping to find some wins and some momentum. One of those moves was designating Andrew McCutchen for assignment. McCutchen, lovingly known as 'Cutch" across the world of baseball, is a former National League MVP and maybe one of the most recognizable players of the 2010s. He won the MVP in 2013 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He had Top 5 MVP finishes in 2012, 2014, and 2015 - being an All-Star and winning a Silver Slugger in each of those years.

However, today's Andrew McCutchen is a far cry from that player. 39 year old vet was having a rough year with the Rangers - only posting a .192 batting average with 1 home run and 5 RBIs. And unfortunately, poor play paired with a team trying to get to .500 led to him getting DFA'd.

In a corresponding move, the Rangers have signed 31 year old utility infielder Nicky Lopez to a big league deal. Lopez was DFA'd by the Cubs earlier this year, after only appearing in 4 games and making 5 plate appearances. Over his big league career, Lopez has had a lot of ups and downs. 2021 with the Royals was his best year, where he hit .300, knocked in 43 RBIs, and stole 22 bases. Can he return to that form? Or will be the guy that hit .056 last year for the Cubbies? Only time will tell.

What's Next For Andrew McCutchen?

The former MVP said numerous times over the offseason that he felt he had another year or two in him. So, now that he's back on the market is there a team that could use his veteran leadership? Probably. While he may not be the same guy on the field, he could be a valuable asset for a young team lacking in leadership.

Plus, Cutch LOVES the Pirates. He started his career there. He resigned there a few years ago. Despite the fact they didn't sign him in the offseason and that caused a bit of an issue...it would not surprise me if the Pirates brought him back to the organization. Bench outfielders Billy Cook and Jhostynx Garcia haven't exactly been lighting the world on fire...so there could be a place for Cutch on a Pirates team who looks pretty good.

Whether Cutch finds a new home or if this is the end of the line is irrelevant, man had a career worth being proud of - posting a .271 career batting average, 333 HRs, 2280 hits, 220 stolen bases and 1157 RBIs. Those stats may not get him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame...but he's definitely going to end up in the Pirates Hall of Fame at some point and will always be remembered as a player that was fun to watch and one of the best of a generation.