Dodgers Rumor Round Up: Joc Pederson, Pollock, Harrison

Whether they are frustrating, surprising or none of the above, the Dodgers have re-entered the rumor mill. Some rumors small and other much larger, Andrew Friedman’s relative silence this winter could be coming to a close.

First, the hot stove was centered largely on what wasn’t and what would never be. Bryce Harper’s connection to LA was presumed strong to start the offseason but as the months went by, so did Harper. His likely landing spot, once the Dodgers, is now Philadelphia.

Then the rumors shifted from Major to Minor League. The Dodgers made a flurry of farm system transactions, adding players like Josh Thole and Markus Solbach to the system.

Then the trades. The Dodgers parted ways with fan favorites Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig as well as Kyle Farmer and Alex Wood in a trade with the Reds to cut salary. Russell Martin was acquired and now we’re here. Still waiting, yes, but growing ever closer to another move.

Here are the most recent transactions the Dodgers have been connected to.

Puig was traded a month ago yesterday. The Dodger favorite now a Red left the Dodgers with just four listed outfielders on the roster, Pederson one of them.

Joc’s ride in Los Angeles was interesting from the get-go: lots of power, a knack for striking out and defensive capability that changes like the seasons- some campaigns its excellent and others quite the opposite.

On offense, that power was undeniable but from day one it came with a clause: the team only got it when he was facing a right-handed pitcher. Against lefties, Joc is non-existent.  Perhaps that is the motivation the team is looking for. If they trade Pederson away they get rid of a bat that is only serviceable against one side of the mound, the other being his kryptonite.

Let’s address the rumors. As it stands right now the only verified rumor is that of Ken Rosenthal who said the White Sox along with a few other teams were discussing Pederson although he had no report of how advanced the talks were.

If the Dodgers do choose to trade Pederson it will leave them with a limited outfield group until they sign a right-handed bat, the move that is presumed to follow any trade in which Pederson is involved.

The counterpart to Pederson, Pollock is the presumed related move should Joc be traded in the future.

Pollock, the Diamondbacks’ center fielder since 2012, is on the free agent market and the Dodgers are one of the teams in discussion with him.

At 31-years-old, Pollock has had an interesting career. When he’s healthy and playing, Pollock is one of the league’s most productive bats with defense that plays well above average in center field.

Pollock’s problem has never been on the field. His issue is how much he can be on the field. Over the last three seasons, Pollock has played 237 of 486 games. At a price of what is projected to be about $15 million, the question for the Dodgers is how much is Pollock worth to this team?

Is he worth $15 million a season where he may only play 110 games? Is he worth parting ways with Joc Pederson? We’re about to find out.