The Texas Rangers continued an active offseason by trading for left-handed reliever Robert Garcia on Sunday night and signing outfielder Joc Pederson to a two-year, $37 million contract on Monday morning.
Texas reached an agreement with the Washington Nationals to acquire Garcia in exchange for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe as the franchise looks to improve the bullpen leading into the 2025 season.
Garcia is entering the third season of his career on his third team despite putting together a solid season with the Nationals in 2024, collecting an earned runs average of 4.03 across his 72 appearances.
The lefty reliever also set career highs in holds (13), games (72), and strikeouts (75) during the 2024 season while ranking fifth among left-handed relievers in strikeout-to-walk rate (4.69), eighth in inherited runners scored (26.2%), and 10th in strikeouts per nine innings (11.31), according to MLB.
The Rangers followed up this trade by signing Pederson to a contract that could keep him with the team until the completion of the 2026 season, though Texas included a contract that allows Pederson to opt out after the first season, per ESPN.
Pederson spent the first seven seasons of his career as a member of the Los Angeles and the last four seasons as a member of the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
The 32-year-old had one of the most productive seasons of his career with the Diamondbacks in 2024, playing as a designated hitter. He collected 23 home runs and 64 runs batted in, with an impressive on-base percentage of .393.
Pederson will join a crowded group of outfielders in Texas that currently features Evan Carter, Adolis García, Dustin Harris, Wyatt Langford, and Leody Taveras.
This signing now raises questions about whether the Rangers plan to utilize Pederson in the outfield or if he will remain a designated hitter without playing defense for another season.
These moves come as the Rangers continue adding pieces in an attempt to win another World Series. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the organization recently signed lefty reliever Hoby Milner to a one-year contract.
Milner is coming off a solid season with the Milwaukee Brewers and is expected to play a major role for the Rangers during the 2025 season.