The Texas Rangers are less than two years removed from a World Series championship. However, they missed the playoffs last season after a once fierce offense went anemic. The team heavily addressed those issues this offseason, but to no avail. As of now, Texas is on pace to miss the playoffs once again, thanks to a terrible offense.
The Rangers entered June 11 three games under .500 and only ahead of the Athletics in the American League West standings. So, some changes could be in store, especially with the trade deadline approaching.
One name to look at is DH Joc Pederson. The former Los Angeles Dodgers star has hit just .131 with two home runs and six RBIs through 46 games. Though he is currently on the injured list, talks surrounding the Rangers cutting bait heated up.
MLB Insider Calls Out Rangers Veteran For Early Struggles
ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle discussed the struggling Texas offense, Pederson’s own personal struggles, and why it might be time to move on despite signing him to a two-year, $37 million deal this past offseason.
“Collectively, but mostly Joc Pederson, the .513 OPS the Rangers have gotten from the DH spot is 70 points worse than every other team in the majors, even the ones on track to challenge the loss record,” Doolittle wrote.
Marcus Semien according to FanGraph’s offense statistic, is the second-worst offensive player in baseball.
He speaks on his slow start to the 2025 season.
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— DLLS Rangers (@DLLS_Rangers) May 29, 2025
“The Rangers’ abysmal overall offense is not just the work of Pederson — no one can struggle badly enough to account for a team OPS+ of 84 — but his spot is the most glaringly in need of a runs-created infusion,” he continued.
Doolittle goes on to argue that Texas is not out of postseason contention thanks to a weak American League. The Rangers have a great pitching staff, and many feel they are fortunate to still be in the playoff mix for both the division and a Wild Card spot.
However, if the Rangers want to make a run, the offense needs to get it together. After struggling against the fastball last year, Texas acquired hitters like Pederson and Jake Burger, who mashed the pitch. Those moves didn’t pay off to start the year, so the Rangers fired their offensive coordinator.
That move hasn’t panned out either just yet. There is still time to get it together, but the clock is ticking. Moving on from Pederson might be the next shakeup.
This is Pederson’s first year with the Rangers after spending last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. There was excitement when he joined, especially after some pointed comments about the Rangers ending the Houston Astros’ AL West reign.
“Played the Astros in the World Series. They’ve put together a nice little run. It’s coming to an end. It’s time for us to take over the West.” -Joc Pederson
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When they signed Pederson, both sides were excited, and manager Bruce Bochy seemed thrilled to add such an experienced name to the roster, with Pederson even saying their goals aligned.
“A lot of our goals align — the Rangers obviously won a World Series in ’23 and they’re not satisfied,” Pederson said. “They want to continue to win. And I want to be in a place that wants to win.”
Well, the Rangers aren’t playing well, and Pederson isn’t hitting despite playing a bat-only position (DH). Currently, Pederson is on the Injured List with a fractured hand. The Rangers have not gotten what they expected from him. With the team desperate for offense, Pederson might not get too much time to figure it out.