Rangers’ Joc Pederson enters free agency after 26-home run season

Joc Pederson is reportedly set to enter MLB free agency. According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the veteran slugger declined his part of his mutual contract option with the Texas Rangers. Pederson, 34, is a two-time All-Star. Although he wasn’t an All-Star in 2026 with Texas, he quietly had a productive season. Pederson dealt with some injury trouble but still had a strong campaign overall. The left-handed hitter recorded 26 home runs to go along with an .816 OPS. He primarily played against right-handed pitching.