“Who’s gonna give him more?” – MLB fans in shock as Joc Pederson declines $18.5M Rangers mutual option

Designated hitter Joc Pederson has declined his end of an $18.5 million mutual option with the Texas Rangers to enter free agency. The 34-year-old is coming off a productive 2026 campaign in which he hit 26 home runs and recorded an .816 OPS for Texas. The decision surprised many baseball fans on social media, with several questioning whether he could command a larger contract on the open market.

Pederson is not the only player departing Texas, as catcher Kyle Higashioka and relief pitcher Jakob Junis also reportedly declined mutual options to become free agents. Higashioka was limited to 58 games in 2026 due to an arm injury, while Junis dealt with multiple injuries after posting a strong first half in the bullpen.