Former Dodgers Fan Favorite Joc Pederson Signs With NL West Rival: Reports
Former Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson is staying in the National League West.
The former Dodgers and San Francisco Giants outfielder/designated hitter has agreed to a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to multiple reports. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix was first to report the signing.
According to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert, the contract is for one year with an option for a second. Financial terms are not yet known.
Pederson spent the last two seasons playing for the rival San Francisco Giants and now makes his way to the desert. Arizona had been looking to add balance a lineup that includes few left-handed power threats outside of reigning NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll. Pederson fits the mold.
There was some thought of a potential reunion between the Dodgers and Pederson. The Dodgers’ need waned after they signed Shohei Ohtani to be their designated hitter, and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to fill out their position player depth chart.
The Diamondbacks reached the World Series last season almost in spite of, not because of, their home-run hitting ability. Their 166 home runs tied for 22nd in MLB in 2023, behind even the cellar-dwelling Oakland A’s and Chicago White Sox.
Pederson, 31, has hit 56 home runs over the past three seasons despite being a platoon player, essentially limited to part-time duty against right-handed pitchers only. Many clubs in the NL West now boast right-handed heavy starting rotations.
In his career, Pederson is hitting .242 with 172 home runs and 421 runs batted in against right-handers. That will play perfectly in the Diamondbacks lineup, and he has shown the ability to still have pop in his bat.
Last season with the Giants, Pederson hit 15 home runs and drove in 51 runs in 121 games played. Those numbers should only increase by being taken out of homer-unfriendly AT&T Park.
As Dodger fans are aware, Pederson has also shown a clutch gene in October. The Diamondbacks are looking to get back to the World Series, and believe that Pederson could be the missing piece to help them.
Since leaving the Dodgers, Pederson has bounced around the league. He has spent time with the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs before returning to the Bay Area, where he starred in high school before the Dodgers drafted him in 2010.
Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Pederson appears to not care much about winning. He has gained enough weight to be called ‘fat!’
If he really cared, he would take better care of what he has to offer.
The guy was a serviceable CF when he arrived on the scene. Now he is a liability in LF. He had positive defensive WAR in CF his first two seasons. He has had negative defensive WAR EVERY SEASON SINCE. He still has a lot of pop; but he has probably lost 2 or 3 years off the end of his career plus who knows how many millions in salaries.
Go latch onto your mommies tit and call it dinner
Good for Joc. Good dude. Next year sign with Pads and in ‘26 sign with the Rox and he’ll have played for the whole division