Joc Pederson’s rebound season has put the Rangers in a familiar offseason spot: weighing whether to keep a veteran bat that can still punish mistakes, or move on and use the flexibility somewhere else.
After one of the worst seasons ever by a Texas Rangers positional player in 2025, Pederson came back in 2026 with his bat speed again working for him. He finished with 26 home runs, an .817 OPS and a 134 OPS+, doing almost all of his damage as the designated hitter while batting leadoff in Skip Schumaker’s lineup.
Now the question is what happens with his $18.5 million mutual option as winter arrives. Jim Bowden, the former general manager and senior writer for The Athletic, thinks the market may not offer Pederson many alternatives, which could leave Texas as the lone real suitor if he wants to cash in in 2027.
Bowden, writing on the New York Times website as part of his predictions for the best landing spots for the top 40 free agents, said the Rangers remain the best and only fit for Pederson. He praised the comeback, but pointed to Pederson’s defense and age as the reasons his market could be limited. Bowden believes Pederson would need to accept less money to stay in Arlington, and he projects a 2-year, $30 million deal with contract comps that include Ryan O’Hearn’s 2 years and $29 million, Taylor Ward’s 1 year and $12.175 million, and Mike Yastrzemski’s 2 years and $23 million.
That said, the argument for the Rangers is not the same as the argument for the Rangers to bring him back.
Opening the DH spot would give Schumaker more room to manage the kind of roster that could use it. Corey Seager, Wyatt Langford and Josh Jung are all mentioned as players who could slide into that role for occasional half-days, a move that would help keep them fresher over a 162-game season and potentially cut down on injury risk.
It would also preserve Ezequiel Duran’s value as a movable piece. The source calls him “The Solution,” and the Rangers would be better off using that versatility by spreading the DH chances around when the roster is healthy. Jake Burger could fit into that mix at times as well.
That ideal setup depends on a healthy group, which the source notes is a pretty Pollyanna version of events. But the broader point remains the same: if Texas is trying to squeeze every edge out of this roster, it may not make sense to devote dollars and a full-time DH spot to Pederson again.
With a 2027 season looming and less flexibility around some aging players, the Rangers are going to have to be selective with every move. Keeping Pederson is one path.
Letting him walk is another. And as the winter unfolds, that may be one of the few decisions they can actually control.
In Other News...
Rangers Linked To A Rotation Gamble With Long Term Stakes
Payroll pressure often pushes clubs toward uncomfortable decisions, and the Rangers may be headed into that kind of territory as they look for ways to shore up a rotation without pushing the budget too far. One possible path would be a buy-low trade market, the sort that asks a front office to weigh present need against long-term uncertainty, especially when a pitchers talent once made him look like a fast-rising rotation piece.
Luis Gil fits that kind of conversation because the upside is obvious, but so is the risk. His recent track record has been interrupted by injury and uncertainty about his standing with the Yankees, which makes him more of a projection than a sure thing. For Texas, the appeal is finding a starter who can help fill innings, but the real question is how much confidence anyone can have in what he might look like beyond 2027. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Bullpen Plan Raises A Bigger Question About Texas Priorities
The Rangers bullpen conversation has taken an unexpected turn toward the future, with former GM Jim Bowden making the case for a left-handed arm who could help in a range of roles. Sean Newcomb has resurfaced as a name worth watching because of the way he has handled both middle relief work and spot starts, and Bowden sees that versatility as a strong match for what Texas may need down the line.
Newcombs recent performance has given him real credibility as more than just a depth add, and the broader discussion around him has centered on what kind of contract a pitcher with that profile might command. For a Rangers club always trying to balance immediate pitching needs with longer-range planning, the question is not just whether Newcomb fits, but how aggressively Texas would want to act if the market lines up in their favor. [Read more 🡒]
Jake Burger Just Gave Rangers Fans Another Reason To Love Him
Jake Burger has already given Rangers fans plenty to appreciate on the field, and now he has added another layer to his profile away from it. The Texas first baseman was recognized at the MLB Players Choice Awards for his charitable work through the Burger Family Foundation, which has become a meaningful part of his identity beyond baseball.
The foundation has focused on Down syndrome causes along with other community efforts, giving Burger a platform that extends well past game nights and box scores. The recognition also comes with a financial boost for the foundation, underscoring how much his off-field work has resonated inside the sport and in the communities it reaches. [Read more 🡒]