The Chicago Cubs announced the signing of Joc Pederson to a one-year contract, with his deal also including a mutual option for 2022. Pederson is the fourth Los Angeles Dodgers free agent to leave the team this offseason.
Like with Kiké Hernandez before him, it had been considered a forgone conclusion Pederson would not re-sign with the Dodgers. Pedro Baez (Houston Astros) and Alex Wood (San Francisco Giants) have also moved on.
And in another similarity to Hernandez, Pederson sought an opportunity to be an everyday player. He’ll get that with the Cubs, who faced a need in left field after their decision to non-tender Kyle Schwarber.
The Washington Nationals had interest in Pederson earlier this offseason, but they instead signed Schwarber. The Chicago White Sox were reported as extending a contract offer to the Dodgers’ 2013 draft pick.
A compilation of the 9 postseason home runs @yungjoc650 hit in his #Dodgers career. #Joctober pic.twitter.com/I24l9j49Xr
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) February 6, 2021
The 28-year-old is coming off another uneven showing during the regular season but improved performance in the playoffs. Pederson’s career .806 on-base plus slugging percentage increases to .852 in the postseason, and batting average also rises from .230 to .272.
He hit safely in eight of 16 postseason games last year, producing two home runs and a .991 on-base plus slugging percentage en route to helping the Dodgers win their first World Series since 1988.
Pederson batted .230/.336/.470 with 112 doubles, 130 home runs and 303 RBI in 748 games over parts of seven seasons with the Dodgers. He set career highs in 2019 with 83 runs, 112 hits, 36 homers, 74 RBI, .249 batting average, .538 slugging and .876 OPS in 149 games.
Pederson set a Dodgers franchise record with nine leadoff home runs in 2019, which surpassed the mark he previously held with eight the season prior. Davey Lopes had been the Dodgers’ record holder with seven leadoff home runs hit in 1979.
Dodgers sign Bauer
Hours before the Cubs officially announced the signing of Pederson, the Dodgers sent shockwaves throughout the sport by coming to terms with Trevor Bauer on a record-setting thee-year contract.
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