Nearly at the conclusion of what had been a quiet and disappointing offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers reached an agreement to acquire Mookie Betts and David Price. The blockbuster trade was a precursor to also sending Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling to the L.A. Angels.
However, the three-team deal between the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins came apart due to the medicals of Brusdar Graterol. As the teams worked to revive talks, Angels owner Arte Moreno grew frustrated with the delay and backed out of the deal with the Dodgers.
That has turned out to be a significant coup for the Dodgers, as the value and importance of Pederson and Stripling rose heading into the regular season. Both had impressive showings during Summer Camp and will play prominent roles for L.A. this season.
Pederson recently revealed that he began working with a new trainer during the hiatus. “I had an injury in Spring Training to my side area, and I was coming back as we shut down,” Pederson said.
“Then I took some extra time off because I had a feeling it might be a little bit before we start back up. When we started back up I wasn’t necessarily feeling great, so I started working with a movement-type coach to make sure I was moving correctly.
“I feel great, I feel light on my feet, flexible and all that. I’ve really enjoyed working out with him.”
Pederson noted that the movement coach ensured he puts himself in the right position to avoid injuries going forward. “It would take a day to answer thoroughly, but I guess just making sure your body is in the strongest and most athletic position,” Pederson explained.
“So I’ll do a lot of things with bands. Essentially you want a spiral around your spine rather than doing a static benchpress. There’s other moves where you’re getting into a side power position.
“Just using your body more efficiently. I’ve been doing these spiraling lunges. When everyone saw they said it looked like it was killing my back, but really it had the opposite effect. It opens me up and makes me move freely. It’s been pretty cool.”
Pederson credited Austin Barnes for suggesting he see a movement coach. “When I got hurt he was like, ‘You need to try it.’ I said, ‘I don’t know what you’re doing, but that just looks weird,’” Pederson said with a laugh.
His newfound athleticism was readily apparent with multiple stolen bases during intrasquad games in Summer Camp. Pederson began the season with a modest three-game hitting streak but hasn’t received consistent opportunities since starting in each of the first three games of the Opening Series.
Contract year
The 28-year-old hit a career-high 36 home runs in 149 games last year. He is among a handful of Dodgers players due to reach free agency at the end of the season.
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