According to reports, the Texas Rangers are signing Andrew McCutchen.
USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale is among those reporting the 39-year-old vet is signing a minor league deal.
Pirates GM Ben Cherington and owner Bob Nutting made a business decision last month signing Marcell Ozuna for one-year, $12 million with an option for 2027.
The numbers show, over the last three seasons, Ozuna is better.
But McCutchen as been the most impactful Pirates player to the organization since Barry Bonds in the early 1990s.
McCutchen removed Pirates references from his social media in the immediate aftermath of the Ozuna signing.
He was previously upset thinking the organization should have invited him to PiratesFest in January where he could talk to fans.
McCutchen said Pirates management had no communication with him in the offseason to discuss their intentions. Likely McCutchen was a fallback in case they signed someone else.
Now, McCutchen is heading to Texas
“Cutch is always going to be a Pirate in everyone's heart,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly said last month. “Respect him and everything that he means to the team and the city. Not sure exactly where this goes.”
Andrew McCutchen’s stats last year:
· 477 at bats, 22 2B, 13 HR, 57 RBI, .239/.333 on base/.367 slugging/.700 OPS
· Left-handed pitchers—131 at bats, 3 HR, .267/.353/.389/.743