SIGNING: Free Agent Joc Pederson Returns to NL West, With New Team

January 25, 2024 , , ,


 He's suited up in the past for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants, and now free agent Joc Pederson appears to have joined his third National League West club. A report from Phoenix sports insider John Gambadoro says that the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed the left-handed slugger.

Pederson, a platoon player who generally only faces right-handed pitching, had a bit of an off year in 2023 batting just .235 with 15 home runs in 121 games. A lot of that can be attributed to some bad luck as his BABIP dropped considerably (a stat that's generally luck-based). In addition, the 31-year-old has shown enough in previous years, with five 20+ homer seasons, to command a fair bit of interest this winter. 

The Diamondbacks, the defending National League champions, have been anxious to add some more offence to their lineup before spring training, and they were also linked to a number of other potent free agent bats that still remain available, including JD Martinez, Jorge Soler and Justin Turner. 

Pederson, a 10-year veteran, has two World Series rings to his credit, playing a major role in both the 2020 Dodgers and 2021 Atlanta Braves playoff runs. He’s also a two-time All-Star, including as recently as 2022 with the Giants when he blasted 23 homers and batted .274 with an .874 OPS and a career-high OPS plus of 146. 

His left-handed bat helps to balance the D-Backs lineup, and he'll attempt to turn his playoff magic once again, this time in the desert. 

Photo: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports






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