At the start of the offseason it was widely expected Los Angeles Dodgers free agents Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson would not return with team. That also applied for Alex Wood, though to a lesser extent.
Pedro Baez wound up being first to leave the organization, signing with the Houston Astros. That was followed by Alex Wood agreeing to a deal with the San Francisco Giants and Hernandez signing with the Boston Red Sox.
Pederson then found his home for the 2021 season and potentially beyond by signing a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. His deal includes a mutual option for next season.
In a farewell essay published on Players’ Tribune, Pederson touched on a lesson he teaches his daughter and having mixed emotions over closing one chapter to begin another:
After 10 years in the Dodgers’ system, I signed a one-year deal last week to play for the Cubs — and the emotions right now are pretty intense. On one hand, I’m just beyond ready for this next chapter of my career. I’m jacked for the opportunity. But on the other hand, you spend 10 years somewhere, and saying goodbye is never going to be easy. You make friends for life. You build amazing memories. Those things are hard to let go of. At the end of the day, though, the one thing I keep coming back to is: dream big. Those aren’t just words I tell my daughter — they’re words I’ve lived by my whole life.
Pederson broke into the Majors in 2014, then assumed an everyday role the following season. Struggles against left-handed pitching ultimately led to Pederson becoming a platoon player, but he appeared in at least 102 games each season from 2015-19.
Last year Pederson played in 43 of 60 games, which was despite twice missing time to be with his family.
Pederson finished his Dodgers career hitting .230/.336/.470 with 112 doubles, 130 home runs and 303 RBI in 748 games over parts of seven seasons. He set career highs in 2019 with 83 runs, 112 hits, 36 homers, 74 RBI, .249 batting average, .538 slugging and .876 OPS in 149 games.
Cubs giving Pederson everyday opportunity
Like with Hernandez, a primary factor behind Pederson leaving the Dodgers in free agency was playing time. Specifically a desire to play on a daily basis, which the Cubs are going to give the 28-year-old a chance to do in left field.
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