The Pittsburgh Pirates made a tough call in letting Andrew McCutchen walk in free agency, and while it might have been the right move from a business perspective, it's a decision that's tugging at the heartstrings of Pirates fans. Seeing McCutchen donning a Texas Rangers uniform this season is bound to feel strange for those who cherished his time in Pittsburgh.
But here's the kicker: McCutchen is turning heads this Spring Training. Sure, it's early days and the sample size is small, but he's been nothing short of electric. His first home run of the spring was a sight to behold, showcasing his impressive opposite-field power.
Let's break down his spring stats so far:
- 8-for-15 at the plate
- A scorching .533 batting average
- 3 doubles
- 1 home run
- 7 RBIs
- 6 walks
- Just 3 strikeouts
At 39, McCutchen is proving he’s still got plenty left in the tank and looks primed for the upcoming season. Last year, he hit .239 with 13 home runs over 477 at-bats, barely edging out a 0.1 WAR. While the Rangers might not need him in the lineup every day, he’s expected to make a significant impact, especially against left-handed pitching.
For the fans in Pittsburgh, seeing McCutchen in anything other than black and gold is going to take some getting used to. But whether or not it was the right move, his journey with the Rangers is shaping up to be an intriguing storyline this season.