Having already witnessed the departures Pedro Baez, Alex Wood and Kiké Hernandez, the Los Angeles Dodgers figure to undergo more turnover from their World Series roster during the final weeks before Spring Training camps are scheduled to open.
The Dodgers did re-sign Jimmy Nelson and Blake Treinen, and reportedly have high interest — if not an expectation — that a reunion with Justin Turner will come to fruition. But the same can’t be said for the likes of Joc Pederson and Jake McGee.
Pederson reportedly had some interest from the Washington Nationals earlier this offseason, but they wound up signing Kyle Schwarber instead. Now among the possibilities for the 28-year-old is a homecoming.
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Giants have been in contact with Pederson:
According to multiple sources, San Francisco is talking to perennial postseason performer Joc Pederson, who grew up a Giants fan in Palo Alto and who knows president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and manager Gabe Kapler from their time with the Dodgers.
San Francisco has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with Tommy La Stella, but are believed to still be in the market for a left-handed hitting outfielder. Pederson would not only satisfy that but also bring some flexibility in being able to play all three outfield positions.
He primarily played center field after being drafted by the Dodgers, then switched to a corner outfielder for the past three seasons; Pederson didn’t play any center field in 2020.
He has been somewhat enigmatic during the regular season, though proven to be a clutch performer come October. His career .806 on-base plus slugging percentage jumps to .852 in the postseason, and Pederson’s batting average also increases from .230 to .272.
Signing with the Giants would not only reunite Pederson with Farhan Zaidi and Gabe Kapler, but also Alex Wood. He recently signed a one-year contract with San Francisco that includes performance bonuses.
Dodgers outfield outlook
The Dodgers are poised to enter the 2021 season with Cody Bellinger cemented in center field and Mookie Betts in right field. AJ Pollock figures to again be part of a platoon in left. While Pederson makes for natural partner in that arrangement, it’s not clear if he’s keen on again filling a part-time role.
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