Rangers have an $18.5 million contract problem

The Texas Rangers have a pretty solid roster.

One contract on their books is particularly awful, though.

Joc Pederson is making a lot of money to do a lot of nothing.

The Rangers signed Pederson before the 2025 season to a two-year deal worth $37 million. The second season was a player option.

Pederson, after a rough 2025, accepted that option.

He's making $18.5 million this season.

The Rangers have an $18.5 million dollar player that wouldn’t even be the first lefty option off the bench today. Let that sink in.

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Want some numbers to go with the bad vibes?

Pederson batted .181 last season.

This season, he has just two at bats so far and is hitless.

Pederson can't play in the field, really, and if he can't hit anymore then he really has no use on a roster.

The problem is that the Rangers are paying Pederson $18.5 million this season. They'd love for him to do something, anything. It's just not happening that way.

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