After enjoying a strong bounce-back 2026 season, Joc Pederson has opted to decline his $18.5 million mutual option with the Texas Rangers.
Popular content page “Just Baseball” posted about this on Friday, informing fans of the development via X.
“Joc Pederson has declined his end of an $18.5 million mutual option and will become a free agent, per @JesseRogersESPN. Pederson, 34, hit 26 HR with an .816 OPS for Texas in 2026,” the post was captioned.
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Fans were shocked to learn of Pederson’s decision, and many expressed their surprise on social media.
“Why would he do that? Who’s gonna give him more?” a fan wrote.
“He is not getting bigger contract. Will regret it,” another fan commented.
“That’s certainly…a decision 😳,” another fan replied.
“Lol, does he think he’s getting $20 mil from someone?” another fan responded.
“How much does Pederson think a DH-only, 35 year old platoon bat is getting in free agency???” another fan shared.
“He must really hate Texas, because no one is paying him more than 13 million in the open market. A declining bat who is a DH only,” another fan posted.
Catcher Kyle Higashioka and reliever Jakob Junis also reportedly set to part ways with the Rangers and join Joc Pederson in free agency
In addition to losing Joc Pederson‘s offensive abilities, the Texas Rangers are also set to lose two more stars to free agency this winter. Just like Pederson, catcher Kyle Higashioka and reliever Jakob Junis have also reportedly declined their mutual options with the club.
Having signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract entering 2025, Higashioka played just 58 games in the 2026 season due to a flexor strain that landed him on the injured list in July.
Junis was a key arm in the Rangers’ bullpen in the first half of the season, posting a 2.80 ERA in 35.1 innings as a setup man before the All-Star break.
He struggled down the stretch, however, pitching to a 5.21 ERA in 19 innings after the mid-season break. Injuries also played spoilsport in Junis’ case, as he had to contend with a pair of IL stints due to a left hip impingement and a left abductor strain.
Edited by Raghav Mehta
