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Free-agent outfielder Joc Pederson and the Texas Rangers have agreed to a two-year deal, multiple outlets reported Monday.
ESPN said the contract, pending a physical, is worth $37 million and includes a player opt-out after the first year.
Texas will be the sixth team for Pederson, 32.
He spent the 2024 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, serving as their designated hitter, after signing a one-year, $12.5 million contract. He declined his $14 million mutual option.
In Arizona, he hit .275 with 23 home runs and 64 RBIs over 132 games. He did most of his damage against right-handed pitchers, batting .281 with 22 home runs and 60 RBIs while hitting .219 in limited action against lefties.
A two-time All-Star and two-time World Series winner, Pederson was an 11th-round draft pick out of high school in 2010 by the Dodgers. He played in Los Angeles for seven seasons (2014-20) before spending time with the Chicago Cubs (2021), Atlanta Braves (2021), San Francisco Giants (2022-23) and Diamondbacks.
Pederson is a career .241 hitter with 887 hits, 209 home runs and 549 RBIs in 1,272 games.
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TODAY'S BEST
The 'A.L. and N.L RBI leaders since 2000' quiz
Happy 52nd birthday to Colorado Rockies legend and 2024 Hall of Fame inductee Todd Helton! Helton played his entire 17-year career with the Rockies, making five All-Star Games, while earning four Silver Sluggers, three Gold Gloves and winning the batting title with a .372 average in 2000. He also still holds Rockies records in home runs (369), RBI (1,406), hits (2,519) and games played (2,247). Which brings us to today’s quiz. In his batting title-winning season, Helton also hit 42 home runs with an MLB-best 147 RBI. With that being said, can you name the players to lead the American and National League in RBI each year since 2000? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Former Green Bay Packers RB to miss entire 2025 NFL season due to injury
The Green Bay Packers are dealing with some concerning injuries to significant members of their roster. As their fans are well aware, the Packers have seen multiple wide receivers projected to be at the top of the depth cart go down during training camp with various injuries. Christian Watson, of course, has not been practicing all offseason as he is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears. In addition to him, the Packers also played their previous preseason game without Romeo Doubs (back), Jayden Reed (foot) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf). And while Doubs returned to practice this week, Reed and Wicks remain out. Elsewhere around the NFL, other teams are dealing with injuries of their own, and some involve players that are former Packers. Former Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor is out for the 2025-26 NFL season One of these players is former Packers running back Patrick Taylor, who played in Green Bay from 2021-2023. An undrafted free agent who often filled in as Green Bay’s third running back, he accumulated 261 rushing yards and a touchdown in his three seasons with the Packers. He found himself out of a job when the Packers revamped their running back room before the 2024 NFL season. Taylor ended up with the San Francisco 49ers last season and had the best year of his career with 183 rushing yards and a touchdown while appearing in 13 games. He will not be playing any games this season as San Francisco just put him on season-ending injured reserve: NFL teams can only have so many players on an injured reserve list. Interestingly, Taylor’s injury led to the 49ers to release another former Packer, wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, who was placed on injured reserve last week. In order to release an injured player, teams and that player must come to an injury settlement, which St. Brown received. He is now free to sign with any team in the NFL should he be able to pass a physical.
Steelers undrafted rookie reportedly upset Mike Tomlin before being cut
The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly had a few quality undrafted free agents during 2025 training camp and preseason, as many of them have put up an actual fight to make it to the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, there is very little room on the team, so some very tough decisions will have to be made on that front. Guys like Max Hurleman and JJ Galbreath have been stating their case throughout camp and into gameday, giving the coaching staff a good problem. One decision was surprisingly easy, however. During his weekly Q A chat, insider Ray Fittipaldo was asked about undrafted rookie Roc Taylor and why he was let go right after the preseason Week 2 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spoke about something that happened right before that contest. "[Roc Taylor] actually got in Tomlin's doghouse at the joint practice," Fittipaldo said. "Not sure if that's the sole reason he was cut, but maybe part of it." Fittipaldo would not expand on what happened, but head coach Mike Tomlin saw enough of the rookie before gameday. It looked like Taylor would at least get first dibs on a practice-squad spot if he was released on roster cutdown day, but now, it seems like his chance of developing in Pittsburgh is gone entirely. Now, he is just hoping someone gives him a call for a chance to be on a practice squad elsewhere. It seemed like Taylor's stock was rising after preseason Week 2. Hurleman had a very rough game, and the former Memphis Tigers standout had three receptions for 39 yards against the Bucs. He was the second-leading receiver on the team, only behind Roman Wilson. It looked like he was forcing himself onto a roster spot, but apparently, Tomlin might have just been waiting until after the game to tell him to pack his bags and try again somewhere else. Steelers' Recent Receiver Issues Make Taylor Cut Even More Concerning What makes this decision even more rough is the fact that the Steelers have three receivers who are not healthy at all. Calvin Austin III is trying to return after missing multiple weeks of practice with an injury, Ben Skowronek recently developed a toe issue and utility man Jonnu Smith has barely participated in practice since July. Spots were opening up for undrafted rookies to take, but Taylor may have said or done something inexcusable enough to lose that chance. The Steelers entered training camp with questionable wide receiver depth, and now it's only more concerning. Wilson's recent development has been the bright spot of the preseason at that position, as Scotty Miller has been taking over the role of WR3 since the game against Tampa Bay. That's why they brought in another possibly injured veteran, Gabe Davis, for a visit, and now they may be hoping that he does not sign elsewhere. Instead of Taylor taking the opportunity to push for a roster spot, guys like Hurleman and Brandon Johnson will be looking to make the team and stick around as numerous players recover from their injuries. With Davis having another visit on Wednesday and the Steelers playing in the preseason finale on Thursday, he most likely will not be signed until after that game. That means the bubble players can prove to the team that they don't need him. It's not public in regards to what Taylor did to get himself in trouble, but he could have had this prime opportunity to be on an active roster as an undrafted rookie. He could have easily been above Hurleman and Johnson on the depth chart. Instead, he is just hoping he makes any team's practice squad now.
Former Green Bay Packers Defensive End Passes Away At Age 55
The Green Bay Packers family lost one of their own when former defensive end Sebastian Barrie passed away on July 31 at the age of 55 after a battle with cancer. While his time in the NFL was brief, Barrie’s journey from an undrafted free agent to playing in the league represents the determination and perseverance that define professional football. Sebastian Barrie: A Dream Realized Against the Odds Sebastian Barrie’s path to the NFL wasn’t paved with fanfare or high draft expectations. Coming out of Prairie View A M, a historically black university in Texas, Barrie went undrafted in 1992. However, his talent and work ethic caught the attention of the Green Bay Packers, who signed him as a free agent in May of that year. At Prairie View A M, Barrie honed his skills as a defensive end, developing the fundamentals that would eventually earn him a shot at professional football. The Panthers have a proud tradition of producing NFL talent despite being overlooked by major college programs, and Barrie became another example of the university’s ability to develop players who could compete at the highest level. Brief but Meaningful Time With The Green Bay Packers Barrie’s tenure with the Green Bay Packers was short but significant in his personal journey. He began the 1992 season on the practice squad, working tirelessly to prove he belonged in the league. His dedication paid off when he was activated on October 23, 1992, giving him the opportunity to play in three games for the Packers. Unfortunately, his rookie season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 12. The physical demands of professional football had taken their toll, but Barrie had achieved something many can only dream of—playing in the National Football League. Despite being cut at the end of training camp in 1993, Barrie’s NFL journey was far from over. His time in Green Bay had given him valuable experience and exposure that would serve him well in the years to come. Continuing the Dream Elsewhere After his release from Green Bay, Barrie’s perseverance continued to define his career. In 1994, he found a new home with the Arizona Cardinals, where he appeared in 10 games and made meaningful contributions to the team’s defensive efforts. His NFL journey concluded with the San Diego Chargers in 1995, where he played in seven regular-season games and earned the opportunity to compete in a playoff game. For a player who began as an undrafted free agent, reaching the postseason represented a career highlight and validation of his determination to succeed at the professional level. A Legacy of Perseverance Beyond the games played and tackles made, Sebastian Barrie’s legacy lies in the example he set for aspiring football players. His path from an undrafted free agent to an NFL veteran shows that success in professional sports isn’t always measured by draft position or immediate stardom. For young players facing similar odds, Barrie’s story serves as inspiration. He proved that with enough dedication, talent, and opportunity, dreams can become reality even when the path seems uncertain. His journey also highlights the important role that historically black colleges and universities play in developing NFL talent. Prairie View A M and similar institutions have long been overlooked by mainstream college football, yet they continue to produce players capable of competing at the highest levels. Remembering a Competitor As the Packers organization and NFL community mourn Sebastian Barrie’s passing, we remember not just a player, but a competitor who maximized every opportunity he received. His battle with cancer mirrors the same determination he showed throughout his football career—fighting until the end. At 55, Barrie’s life was cut far too short, but his impact extends beyond the football field. He leaves behind the memory of someone who refused to let circumstances define his limitations, instead choosing to pursue his dreams with unwavering commitment. The three games Sebastian Barrie played for the Green Bay Packers in 1992 may seem like a footnote in the team’s storied history, but they represent the fulfillment of a lifetime goal for a young man from Texas who dared to dream big. Final Thoughts Sebastian Barrie’s passing reminds us that every NFL roster is filled with stories of determination, sacrifice, and achievement. While not every player becomes a household name, each one has overcome tremendous odds to reach professional football’s highest level. As we remember Sebastian Barrie, we honor not just his contributions to the teams he played for, but the example he set for anyone facing long odds in pursuit of their dreams. His legacy lives on in every undrafted player who refuses to give up and every young athlete who believes that hard work and perseverance can overcome any obstacle.
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