{"id":151681,"date":"2026-02-11T16:59:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T16:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151681"},"modified":"2026-02-11T16:59:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T16:59:13","slug":"rangers-eye-former-mvp-after-missing-out-on-two-key-bats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151681","title":{"rendered":"Rangers Eye Former MVP After Missing Out on Two Key Bats"},"content":{"rendered":"

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IMAGE: Imagn Images<\/div>\n

The Texas Rangers have made some solid moves this offseason, particularly on the mound, but there\u2019s still a noticeable gap on the offensive side-specifically, a need for a right-handed bat to balance out a lineup that leans heavily left. With names like Corey Seager, Brandon Nimmo, Josh Smith, Joc Pederson, Evan Carter, and Alejandro Osuna all hitting from the left side, it’s clear that a reliable righty could bring some much-needed balance.<\/p>\n

Back in mid-December, there was buzz around the Rangers targeting a right-handed hitter. That made sense then, and it makes even more sense now.<\/p>\n

But since then, the front office, led by president of baseball operations Chris Young, has shifted focus toward pitching. And to be fair, they\u2019ve done well on that front-adding lefty starter MacKenzie Gore and bolstering the bullpen with multiple relievers.<\/p>\n

Still, the lineup remains lopsided, and the market for right-handed hitters has thinned out quickly. Marcell Ozuna signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Pirates.<\/p>\n

Miguel And\u00fajar landed with the Padres on a $4 million pact. And Austin Hays, another potential fit, joined the White Sox for $6 million.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s three solid right-handed options off the board in quick succession.<\/p>\n

So where does that leave Texas? Enter Andrew McCutchen.<\/p>\n

Yes, McCutchen is 39. And yes, his numbers last season weren\u2019t eye-popping. But there\u2019s still a lot to like about what he brings to the table-especially for a team like the Rangers that doesn\u2019t need him to carry the offense, just complement it.<\/p>\n

Last year, McCutchen posted a .239\/.333\/.367 slash line with a 95 OPS+ in 2025. Not elite, but not empty either.<\/p>\n

And when you dig a little deeper, the value starts to show. His 20.7% chase rate ranked in the 92nd percentile, and his 12.2% walk rate was in the 88th percentile.<\/p>\n

That kind of plate discipline doesn\u2019t fade easily. Against left-handed pitching, he still held his own, slashing .267\/.353\/.389.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the kind of situational hitting Texas could absolutely use.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also still capable of playing some corner outfield in a pinch and posted 1 Out Above Average last season-not bad for someone pushing 40. Most importantly, he\u2019s likely to come at a bargain.<\/p>\n

After earning $5 million last year with Pittsburgh, and coming off a down season, McCutchen could be had for even less this time around. That\u2019s low-risk, potentially high-reward territory.<\/p>\n

And with Pittsburgh bringing in Ozuna to fill the DH role, McCutchen\u2019s return there looks unlikely. That opens the door for a team like the Rangers to swoop in and add a veteran presence with postseason experience, a strong clubhouse rep, and a bat that still has value-especially against lefties.<\/p>\n

Texas has done well to shore up its pitching, but if they want to stay competitive in what\u2019s shaping up to be a tightly contested AL West, they\u2019ll need to keep looking for ways to round out the roster. McCutchen isn\u2019t the long-term answer, but he could be the right short-term fit at the right price.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IMAGE: Imagn Images The Texas Rangers have made some solid moves this offseason, particularly on the mound, but there\u2019s still a noticeable gap on the offensive side-specifically,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":151682,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-151681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nRangers Eye Former MVP After Missing Out on Two Key Bats - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151681\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rangers Eye Former MVP After Missing Out on Two Key Bats - 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