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Pirates' McCutchen Decision Proves Right
28 May
Summary
- Andrew McCutchen was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers.
- McCutchen's performance with the Rangers was significantly below expectations.
- The Pirates are currently competitive in the NL Central without McCutchen.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' decision to part ways with Andrew McCutchen this past offseason appears to have been the correct one. The Texas Rangers designated McCutchen for assignment on May 27, 2026, concluding his brief tenure with the team. McCutchen, who signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, struggled considerably, posting a .192 batting average and a .537 OPS in 37 games.
Following a strong initial five-game stretch, McCutchen's performance declined sharply. The Pirates had opted against re-signing the former MVP for his second stint, a choice that seems validated by his struggles in Texas. Pittsburgh is currently demonstrating competitiveness in the NL Central Division, holding a 29-26 record through 55 games in 2026.
In contrast, the Pirates' current designated hitter, Marcell Ozuna, has also struggled offensively. Ozuna is slashing .185/.271/.304 with a .575 OPS in 46 games. This situation offers the Pirates more flexibility, as they could potentially move on from Ozuna, unlike the fan backlash that would likely accompany releasing McCutchen. The team is exploring other options for the designated hitter role.
