Andrew McCutchen was placed on release waivers by the Rangers after being designated for assignment to make room for Nicky Lopez. If he clears waivers, he becomes a free agent and can pursue any opportunity. Texas remains responsible for the guaranteed portion of his contract, reportedly a $1.25MM salary. Any team that signs him would pay the prorated $780K league minimum for time spent on an MLB roster, which would reduce Texas’s obligation. McCutchen signed a minor league deal during Spring Training, aiming to return to the Pirates, but Pittsburgh instead signed Marcell Ozuna. With Texas, he was used in a short platoon, hitting .192 with one home run in 83 plate appearances, drawing nine walks and striking out 22 times. His performance has declined for four straight years, with reduced power despite strong strike-zone judgment. He hit left-handed pitching at a .267/.353/.389 rate a year earlier, while Texas and other teams have struggled against lefties.
"The Rangers have placed Andrew McCutchen on release waivers, according to the MLB.com transaction log. That was the expectation after he was designated for assignment yesterday to make room for the signing of infielder Nicky Lopez. Assuming McCutchen goes unclaimed on waivers, he'll become a free agent. The former MVP can explore all opportunities at that point. The Rangers will remain on the hook for the guarantees in his contract, reportedly a $1.25MM salary."
"A signing team would pay him the prorated $780K league minimum for any time he spends on the MLB roster, which would be subtracted from the Rangers' obligations. McCutchen signed a minor league deal midway through Spring Training. He'd seemingly hoped to return to the Pirates for what would've been the fourth season of his late-career second act in the Steel City. The Bucs didn't appear to reciprocate that interest, and the writing was officially on the wall when Pittsburgh signed Marcell Ozuna to a $12MM free agent deal."
"Texas used McCutchen mostly in a short side platoon capacity, splitting his time between DH and the corner outfield. He didn't hit much, batting .192 with one home run over 83 trips to the plate. McCutchen drew nine walks but fanned 22 times, a 26.5% rate that would be the highest of his career over a full season. It's the fourth straight year in which McCutchen's numbers have declined."
"The five-time All-Star had been close to a league average bat over 551 plate appearances with the Bucs last season. McCutchen still has an elite understanding of the strike zone but no longer hits for much power. Although he struggled against pitchers of either handedness in his limited sample with Texas, he hit lefties at a solid .267/.353/.389 clip a year ago. The Rangers themselves have been one of the worst offenses in MLB against left-handed pitching."
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]