What’s the best way to endear yourself to your new team’s fanbase before you play a single game? Take aim at their biggest rival! And that’s exactly what Joc Pederson did in his introductory comments after signing a two-year, $37 million deal with the Texas Rangers that includes an opt out after 2025.
Pederson, who turns 33 in April, wasted no time putting the target squarely on a Houston Astros team that’s going through an offseason not being viewed favorably. They traded away All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, seem to be out on longtime franchise cornerstone Alex Bregman, but then signed first baseman Christian Walker to shore up a dire first base situation.
Houston is eyeing its seventh AL West crown in the last eight years. Meanwhile, the Rangers haven’t brought home a division title since going back-to-back in 2015 and 2016. The team fell short of expectations last year in its defense of a 2023 World Series championship but has one of the most talented rosters in the league.
Last year with Arizona, Pederson got on base at a nearly .400 clip and was one of the most formidable hitters in the league, posting a 151 OPS+ in 449 plate appearances. Since the start of the 2022 season, he’s slashed .262/.365/.485 — good for a 137 OPS+ — playing for the Diamondbacks and Giants.
