The first day of the virtually-held Winter Meetings was relatively quiet, with the exception of the Chicago White Sox completing a trade for Lance Lynn to bolster their starting rotation. Having checked off that need, the club was said to be in pursuit of another outfielder.
Recent reports indicate the White Sox won’t be a major player for the likes of George Springer and Marcell Ozuna. They instead are focused on the tier below them, which includes Michael Brantley and Los Angeles Dodgers free agent Joc Pederson.
Pederson was one seven Dodgers players who reached free agency at the conclusion of the World Series. He is considered somewhat of a long shot to re-sign with the club, given the likelihood he may land a more lucrative contract and regular playing time elsewhere.
In addition to the White Sox, Pederson is reportedly drawing interest from the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, via Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
After Marcell Ozuna, Joc Pederson might emerge as the most desirable option out of a glut of free-agent left-field types that includes David Dahl, Adam Duvall, Brett Gardner, Robbie Grossman, Eddie Rosario and Kyle Schwarber. The teams with at least some interest in Pederson include the Brewers, Cardinals and White Sox.
While the White Sox are reported to have interest in Pederson, it is no longer certain if they will continue pursuing him after reportedly signing Adam Eaton to a one-year contract on Tuesday.
The Cardinals and Brewers both have openings for Pederson, but he would ideally fit better with an American League team, given that the current expectation is there will not be a universal DH next year.
Pederson is coming off a disappointing season in which he hit .190/.285/.397 with four doubles, seven home runs and 16 RBI over 138 plate appearances (43 games).
However, the 28-year-old found more success in the postseason. He thrived in the National League Championship Series, reaching base safely eight times over 19 plate appearances against the Atlanta Braves pitching staff.
Pederson was at his best in Game 3 of the NLCS, tallying four hits in six at-bats which included a three-run homer in the first inning that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 5-0.
Kiké Hernandez reportedly drawing interest from Twins
In addition to Pederson garnering plenty of interest from other teams, the Minnesota Twins reportedly are focused on fellow Dodgers free agent Kiké Hernandez.
Hernandez’s versatility presumably is a draw for the Twins, who have seen Marwin Gonzalez and Ehire Adrianza become free agents this winter. The 29-year-old reportedly is looking to sign a one-year contract, which would afford him an opportunity to re-test the market next year.
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