Rangers Lose Pederson, Higashioka, and Junis to Free Agency

The Texas Rangers lost three veterans to free agency on Saturday when Joc Pederson, Kyle Higashioka, and Jakob Junis all declined their mutual contract options. The decisions immediately alter the team's roster construction and payroll structure for the upcoming season.

Pederson rejected an $18 million option that lacked a buyout clause, a move that was part of a $37 million, two-year deal. Higashioka turned down a $7 million option, triggering a $1 million buyout that completes his $13.5 million, two-year agreement. Junis declined a $5 million option, receiving a $1.25 million buyout as part of a $4 million, one-year contract.

Pederson, a 34-year-old two-time All-Star, finished the regular season with a .235 batting average, 26 home runs, and 53 RBIs in 136 games. He missed the final stretch of the year after fracturing his left wrist on Sept. 12 while being hit by a 93.3 mph fastball from Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt.

Higashioka, age 36, hit .218 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 56 games before a right flexor strain ended his major league playing time on July 20. He subsequently spent time in a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Round Rock from Sept. 4 to Sept. 20.

Junis, also 34, posted a 1-3 record with a 3.64 ERA across 52 relief appearances. He missed time twice during the season due to hip impingement and a left adductor strain, which kept him out of the rotation from June 29 to July 18 and again from July 28 to Aug. 15.

All three players are now eligible to sign with any team in Major League Baseball. The Rangers confirmed the decisions in a statement released Saturday afternoon in Arlington.