Former San Francisco Giants slugger agrees to deal with Texas Rangers

The San Francisco Giants will not have a reunion with a former slugger who left in free agency this offseason.

Two-time All-Star Joc Pederson — who spent the 2024 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a one-year deal — has agreed to terms with the Texas Rangers on a two-year deal worth $37 million that includes an opt-out option after the first season. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported the agreement and Buster Olney of ESPN reported the contract details.

Pederson spent the two seasons prior to his arrival with the Diamondbacks with the Giants from 2022-23, both on one-year deals. Before the 2022 season, he came to San Francisco on a one-year contract worth $6 million and after an extremely productive season with a .274 batting average and an .874 OPS with 23 home runs, he was awarded a high salary to sign another one-year contract, this time, however, worth almost 20 million US dollars.

He was still solid in 2023, but a big drop in 2022 numbers led the Giants to let him go and sign him to another one-year deal worth $12.5 million.

Pederson, who has played in the outfield his entire career, has moved into more of a designated hitter role in recent seasons, but moved exclusively to DH in 2024 and had another really nice season.

Particularly dominant against right-handed pitchers, Pederson appeared in 132 games with a .275 batting average, career bests in OPS and on-base percentage at .908 and .393, respectively, a .515 slugging percentage, and 23 home runs.

Perhaps most impressive was Pederson’s OPS of 1.040 with runners in scoring position, an invaluable attribute to perform at his best when the opportunity presents itself to get men across the plate.

After showing the 2022 version rather than the 2023 version, Pederson had a guarantee of getting a job and probably a nice payday, and a reunion with San Francisco seemed to be in the cards. Seeing him have a career season with a division rival pushing for a playoff spot after another disappointing year for the Giants made Pederson feel like a potential offensive addition without having to break the bank.

Seeing the 11-year veteran end up elsewhere is certainly a disappointment, but San Francisco will be thrilled to have Pederson out of the division and in the American League. But Pederson will visit Oracle Park in April when the Rangers face the Giants in a three-game series.