Dodger fans woke up Sunday morning to reports of – or at least rumors of – a possible trade involving 26-year-old Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson to the Chicago White Sox.
Word of a potential trade involving Pederson (or any other Dodgers outfielder for that matter) should come as little surprise to Dodger fans. It has been well documented that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman wants to add a right-handed bat to his left-handed-heavy line-up, especially after having traded right-handed-hitting outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig to the Cincinnati Reds last month, along with right-handed-hitting utility infielder/catcher Kyle Farmer and left-hander Alex Wood.
During his five major league seasons with the Dodgers, the popular Palo Alto, California native and Dodgers 11th-round draft pick in 2010 has a career slash-line of .228 / .339 / .456 for a decent .796 OPS. But what trading Pederson away would cost the Dodgers are the 25(-ish) home runs and 43(-ish) RBI that he averages each year.
Then again, among the names being tossed around in return for Pederson is 31-year-old White Sox first baseman José Abreu and his five-year MLB career slash-line of .295 / .353 / .516 / .869 and 146 career home runs.
That being said, the mere thought of White Sox general manager Rick Hahn trading away his current franchise player seems a bit ludicrous.
Stay tuned…
* * * * *
Seems like several teams should be talking to Dodgers about Pederson in addition to the Chisox. From memory, the Braves, Cardinals (specifically a LH hitting OF’er), Pirates, Mets, Marlins, Phillies (if no Harper), Rays, Jays, O’s, Indians, Tigers, and Rangers — even the Giants have been linked to OF help. Some might have ML players that interest the Dodgers, Tigers’ Castellanos, Cardinals’ Bader or O’Neil, Pirates’ Frazier, etc. Dodgers may prefer a couple of prospects from the Chisox that it could then flip to the Marlins for Realmuto.
I think it would be very good to see the Dodgers make deals that could end up with something the Marlins would like for Realmoto.
Hello OldBrooklynFan! If we could get Realmuto in a deal such as the one ya suggested that would be great, because he’s a middle of order RHB Dodgers need. And also recall that Russel Martin has already said he would be willing to play other positions if it meant helping this team win. And he does have experience in the INF too.
Dodgers have five lefty outfielders.
Verdugo, 5 yrs control
Toles, 4 yrs control
Pederson, 2 yrs control
Bellinger, 5 yrs control
Muncy, 4 yrs control
Three only play in the outfield, Pederson, Verdugo and Toles.
Pederson’s trade value will probably never be higher, trade from an area of strength, yeah, the rumors are true.
It was reported last year that Joc was working out at first base. I never heard how well he was doing.
Whatever, the Dodgers have a plethora of available first basemen, so much so that the guy groomed to replace Gonzo seems to be our regular center fielder now. If he is capable of playing first base that would increase his trade value.
I don’t see Belly going anywhere anytime soon.
I think Bob was suggesting that Joc would have even greater value in a trade if he could also play 1b
Yep, I meant Joc. I reckon I could have been more clear.