2022 Cleveland Guardians free agent target: OF Andrew McCutchen

The Cleveland Guardians desperately need an upgrade in the outfield, and free agent Andrew McCutchen would be the perfect veteran presence in the young lineup.

Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen represents an intriguing free agent target to upgrade both the Guardians’ outfield and offense at an affordable rate. He is a 35-year-old who made his major-league debut in 2009, won the NL MVP award in 2013, and just wrapped up a three-year, $51 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.

While McCutchen is no longer the dynamic All-Star center fielder that he was in the 2010s, he brings a lot to the table that this current Guardians offense lacks.

The Case for the Guardians Signing Free Agent Outfielder Andrew McCutchen

What Cleveland Lacks

What the Cleveland Guardians need is more offense. More specifically, however, they could use another bat or two in the outfield. Even though McCutchen is in his mid-30s, he is still able to play a capable left field. Between Oscar Mercado, Myles Straw, Bradley Zimmer, and prospect Steven Kwan, outfield defense does not look like an issue going into the 2022 season. This group of outfielders is not lacking in athleticism or youth. However, none are particularly established or have held everyday roles in the big leagues for a sustained period of time. McCutchen is an established major-league hitter whose track record as a star in this league speaks for itself.

In looking into the numbers from the 2021 season, Cleveland ranked 27th out of 30 teams in on-base percentage (.303) and 26th in walk rate (7.7%). Moreover, the Guardians ranked 19th as a team in wRC+ (93) and 22nd in wOBA (.306). More specifically, Cleveland outfielders performed even worse. The outfield ranked 27th in fWAR (3.1), 24th in wRC+ (91), 25th in on-base percentage (.313), and 27th in walk rate (7.7%). While Cleveland currently possesses a stable of intriguing young outfielders, none can particularly bring what McCutchen can bring on a daily basis.

What Andrew McCutchen Brings to the Table

Let’s first get this out of the way: Part of what makes McCutchen a viable free agent target is that he is affordable. Seemingly in the decline phase of his career, he is unlikely to receive a deal longer than two years at anything more than a relatively cheap average annual value.

Now to the on-field performance. In his three-year deal with Philadelphia, McCutchen played 260 games, including 144 in 2021, while posting a .237/.343/.444 (.787 OPS and 109 OPS+) batting line. The slash line does not particularly stand out. However, even this performance would be an upgrade compared to how Cleveland outfielders played in 2021. Additionally, McCutchen’s 27 home runs last year were his highest in a single season since 2017. His 27 home runs would have ranked third on the team last year behind just Jose Ramirez and Franmil Reyes.

Besides being an above-average hitter with solid power, McCutchen’s best attribute is his plate discipline. In 2021, his 14.1% walk rate ranked seventh in all of baseball. In fact, McCutchen’s career .373 OBP ranks 17th among all active players (min. 1,000 PA). McCutchen is the type of player whose impact could be felt all throughout the lineup, as he makes it deeper and more  far more formidable.

Placing him at the top of the lineup would be most advantageous for Cleveland. McCutchen is likely to get some good pitches to hit because teams will be wary of putting runners on base for Ramirez and Reyes. McCutchen is a very good fastball hitter (.534 SLG, .389 wOBA in 2021) whose 39.5% hard-hit rate will likely increase as a result of seeing more pitches over the plate than in the past. Additionally, his 9% barrel rate in 2021 was his highest since 2015 (9.3%), which bodes well in his chances to remain a productive hitter moving forward.

He’s One of the Better Free Agent Targets for Cleveland

With the exception of Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber (who is more of a DH anyway), and Michael Conforto, McCutchen is one of the best free agent outfielders still available. Despite his age, he is still a very productive hitter whose contributions to the team could be far greater than what his Baseball Reference page looks like. He brings a productive veteran presence that the Guardians outfield has lacked for several years at a rate the team can afford.

Who knows when this lockout will end, but once it does, Andrew McCutchen should absolutely be on Cleveland’s radar.