Dodgers Reportedly Showing Interest in Bringing Back Joc Pederson
In 2014, Joc Pederson looked like a promising piece to the Los Angeles Dodgers roster for years to come. Unfortunately, due to what appeared to be a decline in his playing ability and the emergence of other young stars, Pederson would leave LA after the first six years of his career.
It’s been three seasons now since Pederson put on Dodger blue and during that time, he has played with the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and the Dodgers long time rival, the San Francisco Giants.
In 2021, Pederson was traded by the Cubs to the Braves to help them win the World Series, his second in his career. Shortly after, he would end up signing with the Giants.
Now, he is a free agent again and apparently, there is a chance he could end up back on the Dodgers.
According to AM570 LA Sports Radio, the Dodgers have engaged in conversations with Pederson for a potential reunion.
“I had mentioned the Dodgers being connected to Joc Pederson. They have had conversations. Nothing is imminent from what I understand.”
AM570 LA Sports Radio
The Dodgers have never been a team to shy away from reunions as last year, they brought back both Kiké Hernández and Joe Kelly.
Despite spending the last two years with the Giants, Dodgers fans should easily welcome back Pederson to the team as he is a former 2014 NL Rookie of the Year winner, a one-time All-Star and, also helped them win their first World Series since 1988.
When the Dodgers won the World Series in 2020, Pederson played a key part in that title for LA hitting .400 with a 1.200 OPS and knocking in one home run with three RBIs which all came with runners sitting at third base, proving to be a clutch at-bat that the Dodgers desperately could have used last postseason.
As I mentioned earlier, Pederson had a period in his career where he was on the decline. However, in 2022, as a DH for the Giants, he slashed .274/.353/.521 while driving in 70 runs and hitting 23 home runs making it the first time since 2019 where he hit over 20 home runs.
Pederson’s ability to come off the bench and play in the outfield and as a DH in key moments of the game could make him very valuable for the Dodgers next season.
Do you want to see Joc back in LA in 2023? Sound off in the comments below!
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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No, that time has passed, he sucks: enough for the cheap players , spend some money !
No to Joc’s return. When he first came up he looked like a 5 Tool Guy, playing a decent centerfield and showing good speed on the bases. But he quickly declined, being barely adequate in LF and generally a decline in all aspects of his game, trading a ton of Ks for the occasional long ball. A more complete player is needed.
My guess is this door shut when we brought back Jason Heyward. Don’t think we need another left backup outfielder
Joc = JH. We don’t need them both
Bring back Joc! Great clutch hitter in the post season. That continued when he was with the Braves. Also he brings some more positive energy to the bench!
I still hope a pray there’s a trade.in the works for Max Munch. If there is, and he goes away, yes please bring Joc back. He was clutch for both the Dodgers (especially in the playoffs) and the Braves all year. The fact that he stuckout a lot while with the gigantes I take as a plus.
I was a big fan of Joc before he left. I just don’t see the need to bring him back. Especially after signing Hayward.
No thanks. We don’t need another
overweight lefty.
Pederson was an energy guy on the Dodgers. He was constantly out of the dugout cheering his team on. I suspect he was also a good locker room presence, too.
Watching the Dodgers these past couple of seasons, they need that. This team often looks bored.
I don’t want that character, he’s made to be a SFG