Dodgers: Weighing the pros and cons of trading Joc Pederson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to a foul ball in the fifth inning of game five of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to a foul ball in the fifth inning of game five of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 03: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of game one of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals to make it 5-0 at Dodger Stadium on October 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Why the Dodgers should keep Joc Pederson

The Dodgers could always choose to hang onto Joc Pederson and decide whether to let him go in free agency or re-sign him later on.  When Joc Pederson is hot he is capable of carrying the Dodger offense on his back.  September of this last season was the perfect example of that as Joc slugged nine home runs and may have produced more if he didn’t crash into the Dodger Stadium wall.

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Joc also has a tendency of coming up big in the postseason.  Outside of the 2015 postseason when he received four at-bats, Joc has hit at least one home run in every postseason. He was one of the few Dodgers who produced in the NLDS, hitting one home run with an OPS of .953.  He also hit three home runs in the 2017 World Series run and would’ve been in the running for WS MVP if the Dodgers won it all.

Then there is the fact that A.J. Pollock is injury prone.  Although he missed most of the 2019 season with an infection, chances are he will encounter some more injuries in 2020.  Joc Pederson would be a luxury to have as a backup option for Pollock.  If and likely when A.J. hits the IL, Joc could fill in and the Dodger offense would not miss a beat.

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Joc even came into his own as a right fielder this season posting a DRS of 5 and a UZR/150 rating of 6.1.  While the Dodgers could trade Joc Pederson this off-season, they should only do it if they get a reasonable return for him rather than a cost-cutting move.  It will be interesting to see what the Dodgers do with their crowded outfield this winter.