Another player at the center of the Dodgers’ recent success, culminating in their league in October, will play elsewhere in 2021.
Joc Pederson signed a $ 7 million one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, according to a person familiar with the situation. The business is awaiting a physical examination.
The outfielder is the fourth free agent for the Dodgers to sign with another organization. Right-handed Pedro Báez (Houston Astros), left-handed Alex Wood (San Francisco Giants) and utility Kiké Hernández (Boston Red Sox) preceded Pederson’s departure. Third baseman Justin Turner and southpaw Jake McGee are the only free agents who remain without a contract.
Pederson, 28, leaves behind an impactful mandate in Los Angeles. He made it to the world championship as one of the best prospects in 2014 and joined the National League’s All-Star team as a rookie the following year. He has established himself as a powerful hitter over the years, achieving at least 25 home runs in four of his five major league seasons, and saved his best for the postseason – or, as he became known at the Dodgers club, in Joctober.
Pederson hit 0.272 with nine home runs and 0.852 OPS in 170 playoff games. He broke a goalless draw with a solo home run against Washington’s Max Scherzer in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the National League Division Series in 2016. The Dodgers won the elimination game 4-3. He was initially not on the postseason list in 2017, but was added to the National League Championship. He started five games in the World Series, produced an extra hit in five consecutive games and three home runs in the World Series.
He ended the regular season of 2020 with a hitting average of 0.143 and 0.681 OPS, but was again a force in the postseason, with hitting 0.382 with three home runs and 0.991 OPS in 37 appearances.
Pederson did not become the versatile player that some designed. Its speed has slowed down over the years. The Dodgers moved him from the center field to the outside points of the field. They even tested it on first base during the 2019 season. The experiment failed miserably. At the base, his struggles against left-handed pitchers were enough for the Dodgers to decide to make him a platoon player.
Pederson’s time as Dodger almost ended in the last off-season. The Dodgers had an agreement to negotiate with him and Ross Stripling, but Angels owner Arte Moreno canceled the agreement in the 11th hour. Pederson and Stripling reported spring training less than a week later. Stripling was traded to Toronto Blue Jays on August 31.
Another year in Los Angeles was never likely. The Dodgers, theoretically, could have rehired Pederson for $ 7 million, but they would have kept him limiting him to games against right-handed pitchers. He wants to play every day. The lack of clarity about a designated hitter in the National League did not help.
Universal HD, which seems unlikely in 2021, would have increased Pederson’s stock. He attracted interest from other clubs, including Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves, according to people familiar with the situation, but demand for his services was icy.
Free middle-class agents, Pederson found, were squeezed in this off-season. His negotiations focused on a one-year contract. The huge contract he seemed destined to reach just a few years ago was not there.
The White Sox offered Pederson a one-year contract worth at least $ 10 million, but he asked for more money and was refused, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The club filled its hole with Adam Eaton. He signed a one-year, $ 7 million contract with a 2022 club option last month.
On the other side of the city, the Cubs had space in their outer camp after Kyle Schwarber and Albert Amora Jr. did not perform in December.
Pederson and Schwarber have similar offensive profiles. Both are left-handed corner outfielders. They have the same batting average (0.230) and percentage at base (0.336). The percentage of Schwarber strokes is 10 points higher (0.480 to 0.470). Pederson’s OPS + is three points better (116 to 113). Pederson is the best defender and a year older. Both are significantly better against right-handed pitchers than left-handed.
In the end, Schwarber raised more money this winter. He signed a $ 10 million one-year contract with Washington Nationals after projecting to receive about $ 8 million in arbitration.
Pederson’s salary in 2021 will be less than the $ 7.75 million he was scheduled to earn in 2020 through arbitration before the shortened pandemic season. But he will have the opportunity to play every day for a competitive team to boost his resume to a better payday next winter.