Andrew McCutchen is not done just yet.
According to MiLB’s transactions page, the Atlanta Braves signed McCutchen to a minor league contract Thursday. He has been assigned to their Florida Complex League affiliate.
McCutchen, 39, is currently in his 18th season. The five-time All-Star and former NL MVP settled for a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers midway through spring training after the Pittsburgh Pirates chose to go in a different direction. He had spent the prior three years in Pittsburgh, batting .242/.345/.391 with an average of 15 home runs and 50 RBIs per season.
Despite his late arrival to camp, McCutchen wound up batting fifth for the Rangers on Opening Day after posting a 1.270 OPS over 21 spring training at-bats. He carried that momentum into the opening series in Philadelphia, going 4-for-9 with a home run, a double and four RBI in the team’s first three games.
McCutchen cooled off after that. The right-handed slugger ultimately hit .192/.277/.260 over 83 plate appearances with the Rangers before being released in late May. Texas utilized him mostly as a pinch hitter and platoon complement to the left-handed Joc Pederson, as he made just nine starts at DH, five in right field and two in left. He has not played anywhere since.
Presumably, McCutchen will report to Triple-A Gwinnett after a short tuneup with the FCL Braves. There, he would join 17-year veteran Carlos Santana, who inked a minor league deal last week after being let go by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both are regarded as strong clubhouse presences, which should benefit Atlanta’s prospects while they are there.
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The Braves recently waived left-handed slugger Rowdy Tellez, who was limited to DH off the bench. Both McCutchen and the switch-hitting Santana could step into that role if promoted, though McCutchen offers more as a runner and can play multiple outfield positions.
Atlanta’s lineup is in need of a spark. Its collective .586 OPS over the last 30 days is by far the worst in baseball. The Braves have also won just five of their last 19 games, leaving them only 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East.
