The Rangers have been active in free agency, adding Pederson, catcher Kyle Higashioka, former Marlins slugger Jake Burger and re-signing Nathan Eovaldi. They also traded first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to the Nationals. Texas went 78-84 last season.

Not 12 minutes into his tenure as a Texas Ranger Monday, Joc Pederson, who has apparently eschewed pearls for obsidian jewelry, took the first big swing of his two-year contract. At the Astros. You know,

Newest Rangers outfielder Joc Pederson wasted no time in sending a shot across the bow at the rival Houston Astros during his introductory press conference.