MLB

MLB Offseason Roundup: Arizona Lands Pederson, Rangers Add to Bullpen

Published

3 months ago

January 26, 2024

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have already added some thump their lineup this offseason. The club re-upped with outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and acquired third baseman Eugenio Suárez in a trade with the Seattle Mariners.

On Thursday, they added even more pop by agreeing to a one-year deal with outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. It’s a one-year pact with a mutual option for 2025.

Pederson has spent the last two seasons with the San Francisco Giants. He was an All-Star in 2022 but took a step back this past season. With that being said, he was still a productive bat.

In 121 games with the Giants in 2023, Pederson managed a .348 on-base percentage and a healthy .764 OPS. He slugged 15 home runs and drove in 51 runs.

The 10-year major league veteran figures to be a prominent bat in the middle of Arizona’s lineup, giving them one of the deeper starting nine’s in the National League.

ROBERTSON TO RANGERS

The Texas Rangers are laying the groundwork this MLB offseason to attempt to defend their World Series crown.

Texas added to their bullpen, agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran right-hander David Robertson on a one-year deal worth around $11-12 million.

The bullpen has been a point of emphasis for the Rangers this winter. They already added Kirby Yates as a free agent and Robertson, who turns 39 years old in April, is still effective.

Robertson posted a 2.05 ERA with the New York Mets last year before he was traded to the Miami Marlins. Though he struggled after the trade, he still ended the season with a 3.03 ERA and a 3.55 FIP. He gives manager Bruce Bochy a solid option late in games.