Dodgers: Joc Pederson Still Valuable to the Dodger Offense

The Dodgers have had trade discussions this winter involving outfielder Joc Pederson.  Even with the addition of Pollock, Joc still brings vale to the Dodger lineup.

The Dodgers upgraded their outfield by shipping out Yasiel Puig and bringing in AJ Pollock to balance out the lineup.  Like Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson mashes right-handed pitching but is unplayable against left-handed starting pitchers.  Even as a platoon outfielder, Joc Pederson still brings value to the Dodger offense.

In 2018, Joc had another solid season as he posted an OPS of .843 and hit 25 home runs with all but one of those homers coming against right-handed pitching.  With AJ Pollock being injury prone and Alex Verdugo unproven at the big league level, the Dodgers would be wise to hang onto Joc since he is a known commodity and mashes right-handed pitching.

Pederson had a very consistent season in 2018 which was a surprise since he has known to be a bit streaky.  In the first half of the season, Joc hit 13 home runs with a .848 OPS.  In the second half of the season, he bashed twelve home runs with a .834 OPS.  Power wise, Joc got off to a slow start as he recorded just two home runs through May but then in June he blasted ten home runs.

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Defensively Joc is more of a left fielder but he is capable of playing center field which he did in 2018.  Most of Joc’s time was spent in left where he rated above average with a UZR/150 rating of seven.  He even recorded six outfield assists from left field since his arm plays much better in left than it did in center.  For 2019, Joc figures to be part of a platoon in left field with Enrique Hernandez or Chris Taylor.

There is a chance that the Dodgers could trade Joc prior to the regular season as his name as surfaced in trade rumors.  With the Dodgers trying to pull off a deal for Corey Kluber or J.T. Realmuto, Joc is a player that could appeal to both the Indians and Marlins.  There have even been some unconfirmed rumors of the White Sox possibly being interested in Joc.

If the Dodgers need to include Pederson to land a Kluber or Realmuto then that would be well worth it but the team should not just give him away to clear salary.  The Dodgers are one of the best hitting teams against right-handed pitching and Joc is a part of the reason why.  The Dodgers still have plenty of reasons to hang onto Pederson so he could provide more Joc pop in 2019.