Dodgers News: Joc Pederson Leaving LA, Signs New Deal With the Cubs
Today marks the end of an era in Los Angeles. Joc Pederson will not be returning to the Dodgers as the free-agent outfielder signs a new deal with the Cubs. Joc had spent the previous 10 years with the organization after they drafted him in the 11th round out of Palo Alto High School.
It was reported early this morning that Joc signed a deal with Chicago. Joc will earn $7 million on the deal that will be for one year. Those parameters were reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN. The deal also includes a mutual option for the 2022 year with a significant buyout.
In his time with the Dodgers, Pederson compiled a career slash line of .230/.336/.470 through 748 big league games. But his brightest moments were in the playoffs, where Joc would come through in some of the biggest spots. During the 2017 World Series, Pederson would have easily been the MVP if not for a certain cheating team out of Houston. He hit 3 home runs during that series and reached base at a .400 clip.
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Unfortunately for the Dodgers and Joc, he did not fit the profile of what they need long-term. Pederson is a career .191 hitter against left-handed pitching, making him strictly a platoon option for LA. Playing for a team like Cubs might give him the chance to be an everyday player, possibly getting breaks against tough southpaws.
The Cubs will essentially replace Kyle Schwarber with Joc, two guys who profile very similar. The main difference between the two is that Pederson has the edge on the defensive side of the ball. Schwarber signed a free-agent deal with the Nationals this offseason. The good news is that it is going to be a lot of fun watching Joc hit homeruns at Wrigley.
Dodgers fans will always look back fondly on Pederson’s time in Los Angeles, and his contributions certainly will not go unnoticed. He will forever be a part of the 2020 World Series team, and will always be welcomed home. Best of luck Joc!
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It will be interesting to learn how much the Cubs will pay Joc. They are essentially replacing Schwarber (who signed with the Nationals for $10M) with Joc. And how the Dodgers plan to make up the offense lost without Joc (a career 128 wRC+ against RH pitching).
$7M with guarantee of opportunity to play regularly (no platoon). Shame that Joc could not be content with his role as a Dodger.
Unfortunately, the Dodgers are trying to move away from platooning. Joc also had an offer from the Giants, his hometown team. But, AT&T Park is NOT a hitters park. Why go home only to have your friends and family watch you struggle in that cavernous ballpark? He will hit homers at Wrigley…
We have always loved Joc for all his RahRah Energy as well as his homeruns & all out trying to catch a ball! Really hate to see him go just for a few bucks….
They better NOT NOT NOT let Turner Walk or else I will let them walk!
Why should Pedersen have to be “content” with his “role” as a Dodger? No one makes “the show” by being content. He was a good soldier for six years and was indeed one of the few Dodgers to come to play in the post season before 2020. He has more than earned the right to go elsewhere and take some hacks against left handers. I sure don’t want to see him come to bat against the Dodgers in the postseason going forward. But I hope he does well with the Cubs. What the Dodgers are losing is a really good clubhouse guy who is always boosting his teammates. Same with Hernandez and – god forbid – Turner if he leaves. I’m seeing a trend here. But at least they are leaving with a ring.
Rainbirdmuse, last year Roberts made the comment that when it comes down to making the lineups, it’s the players in effect that do. MLB is a production level for baseball as Orel said. It means according to Roberts that if a player wants more steady playing he has to produce against ALL COMERS, .
I am not sure Dodgers will be able to make up the offense lost. In fact, especially if no DH Dodgers offense will not be close to what we saw last year.
How about Rios replacing Joc’s power. I guess Joc likes deep-dish pizza.
At least Joc didn’t go to the Giants. Rios is ok but we still another RHB, JT or someone else. Right now at least Dodger offense is not what it was last year.
Meh, that’s what Pizza Hut is for now, apparently from their new ads…I’m suuuurrre it’s the “real deal’. 😉
Otherwise I hope Pedersen has a monster season. He earned the shot. This season I didn’t see room for his playing time really. To me his whole Dodger career was as the odd man out. That had to be a frustrating feeling given how well he came through when it counted.
Good for him. He’ll now get a chance to play regularly.
Both Joc and Kike are enigmas. They both seem to come thru in clutch situations. One has to ask if that is enough? Matt Beaty mostly goes unmentioned. He definitely will now get more of an opportunity to play regularly. If letting Pederson go allows them to acquire Bauer, then it was worth it. 3rd, 2nd bases have to be a priority. Maybe, if we get Bauer, a wealth of pitchers will enable us to trade one or two for the big right handed bats that we need.
Good luck Joc. Hope you hit a ton of homers in Wrigley and that the Cubs make the playoffs.
It’s good Joc that at least you leave as a champion now you go to a good team and time to quiet the critics that you can only hit righties.I always believe I. You Joc I know you will hit 50 hrs with the cubs and a respetable 260 + average with a lot of rbis.Now it’s time to go get you some and proove Roberts and Friedman wrong.
What I will miss the most about Joc and Kike is their exuberance. They always seemed to have so much fun playing baseball, which I identify with. Mike Trout and Mookie play that way. I wish them both good luck and success.
Although I will miss Joc wearing Dodgers Blue, I am glad that he is not playing for the Giants but instead a team that I have fond memories of. When I fell in love with baseball as a very young kid, I lived in the Chicago area and my Dad would take me to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs. I wish Joc the best of luck, and I hope that he gets all of the opportunity to hit bombs in Wrigley Field (except when they play us.) Thanks for coming through especially post season, Joc!
Good luck Joc! You would still be a Dodger if you could hit left handed pitching! You were a great Dodger and you will be a great Cub!
jOC IS ALWAYS BIG BLUE. i REMEMBER HIM WHEN HE STARTED. CENTER BANGING INTO FENCES . AND MR PUIG KNOCKING HIM OUT. DIVING ALL OVER. CATCHING ALL.tHEN GETTING HOME RUNS EVERY GAME. tHEN BENCHED, HE ALWAYS BOUNCES BACK. jUST HOPE THEY GIVE HIM A CHANCE. TO SHOW ALL HIS GOOD TALENT. hE WILL BE MISSED. BUT IVE LIKED ALWAYS THE CUBS. SO NOW MY JERSEY IS CUBS. YOUR LOSING. ALOT OF FANS. iVE BEEN ALWAYS DODGERS. BUT ITS SAD . JOC IS THE BABE RUTH OF THE DODGERS. NO ONE SWINGS LIKE JOC. SORRY .ITS SAD TO BE. FAN JOANIE. MANY YEARS.