The Texas Rangers and power hitter Joc Pederson have reportedly agreed to a contract. It was disclosed that the deal secures Pederson for two years with a guaranteed $37 million, including an opt-out option after the 2025 season.
This development follows an earlier report by Evan Grant indicating that the Rangers and Pederson had been in discussions about a potential deal.
Pederson, now 32, has a history of signing short-term contracts, allowing him to re-enter free agency frequently. This will be his fifth consecutive deal structured in this way.
After initially entering free agency in the 2020-21 offseason, Pederson signed successive one-year contracts: first with the Cubs, then the Giants, followed by accepting the Giants’ Qualifying Offer, and most recently, a one-year agreement with the Diamondbacks last winter.
However, this new contract provides him with a semblance of stability due to the inclusion of a player option for a second season.
Despite his repeated free agency ventures, Pederson has remained a highly productive left-handed hitter in recent seasons. Since earning his second All-Star selection in 2022 as a member of the Giants, he has maintained an impressive .262/.365/.485 batting line, equating to a 135 wRC+.
Over the past three seasons, this performance ranks him 16th among qualified hitters in wRC+, placing him alongside elite talents such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jose Ramirez.
While Pederson’s offensive prowess is undeniable, his relatively modest contracts reflect his specific skill set and limitations. A standout against right-handed pitching, Pederson’s career .210/.300/.330 line (78 wRC+) against left-handers underscores his platoon dependency.
Even with slight improvements in recent years (104 wRC+ against lefties), he is most effective when used strategically in lineups. Furthermore, his defensive struggles have further influenced his market value.
Pederson has seen his outfield appearances diminish, spending his 2024 season as a designated hitter for Arizona and starting only sparingly in the outfield for San Francisco the previous year.
His last full season in the field, 2022, was marred by a -11 Outs Above Average rating, ranking him among the league’s poorest defenders.
Considering these factors, Pederson’s $37 million deal with the Rangers is a notable achievement, particularly as it significantly exceeds the two-year, $24 million projection from MLB Trade Rumors, which ranked him 24th on its Top 50 Free Agents list for the offseason.
For the Rangers, Pederson’s addition bolsters a lineup that struggled offensively last season, ranking 22nd in MLB with a 95 wRC+. This was compounded by dismal production at the designated hitter position, where the team posted a mere 65 wRC+, the second-worst in the league.
Pederson’s bat not only addresses this void but also complements former Dodgers teammate Corey Seager, adding another left-handed power threat. The move comes shortly after the Rangers traded Nathaniel Lowe to the Nationals, signaling a revamped offensive approach.
Alongside new acquisitions Kyle Higashioka and Jake Burger, as well as the expected improved health of Josh Jung and Evan Carter, the Rangers’ lineup should see a significant improvement.
This will also alleviate pressure on utility player Josh Smith, whose performance dipped dramatically after the All-Star break.
With Pederson in the fold, the Rangers’ projected payroll for 2025 sits just under $217 million, with their luxury tax figure nearing $229 million.
This leaves approximately $11 million in room beneath the first luxury tax threshold, a limit the team reportedly aims to avoid exceeding. While the rotation has been fortified with the return of Nathan Eovaldi and the lineup now appears robust, the bullpen remains an area of concern.
Despite adding Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, and Robert Garcia, the Rangers may pursue further upgrades, potentially through trades involving players like Leody Taveras, Dane Dunning, or Jon Gray.
Such moves could free up payroll space and facilitate the acquisition of a proven closer, with options like Kirby Yates and David Robertson—both of whom pitched well for Texas in 2024—remaining on the market.
Pederson’s decision to join the Rangers shifts the focus of other teams that had been interested in him.
The Diamondbacks, for instance, reportedly considered a reunion with Pederson but may now turn their attention elsewhere, particularly after acquiring Josh Naylor.
Similarly, the Blue Jays, linked to both Pederson and Naylor earlier, might now intensify their pursuit of bats such as Anthony Santander or Teoscar Hernandez to address their lineup needs.
