Joc Pederson, after eight seasons in the major leagues, is finally headed home. The Palo Alto native has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal for $6 million with the San Francisco Giants. This comes after Kris Bryant signed with the Colorado Rockies for a seven-year, $182 million contract. The Pederson signing will not only make Giants fans feel a bit better about the loss of KB, but it will also fulfill the need for another left-handed bat in the lineup.
Where Has Joc Pederson Been?
After spending seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pederson split last season with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. In 2021 he posted a .422 SLG, a .732 OPS, and a 93 OPS+, hitting 18 homers in 429 AB. He was also a part of the World Series champion Braves and sported the best-looking jewelry during their postseason run. All pearls aside, Pederson has had a solid career, mostly with the Dodgers, putting up a lifetime .462 SLG, .794 OPS, 112 OPS+, and 148 homers.
Reunited and It Feels So Good
The deal reunites Pederson with former Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi. Zaidi was the Dodgers GM from 2014 through the 2018 season covering the first five seasons of Pederson’s major league career. During this time Pederson was an All-Star in 2015 and finished 6th in the Rookie of the Year voting. Under Zaidi’s tutelage, Pederson hit 25 or more home runs three times and posted a .495 SLG in 2016 and .522 SLG in 2018. It is safe to say that Zaidi and Pederson work well together and obvious that Zaidi desires to keep this success going.
Pederson will fit well into a Giants outfield that includes LaMonte Wade Jr., Steven Duggar, Mike Yastrzemski, Darin Ruf, and Austin Slater. And even though he has spent a good amount of time in center, he will most likely wind up in right or left. And when not playing the field he will also be a good bat in the DH slot.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players Mentioned:
Joc Pederson, Kris Bryant, LaMonte Wade Jr, Steven Duggar, Mike Yastrzemski, Darin Ruf, Austin Slater
