The White Sox were reportedly one of a few teams in trade talks with the Dodgers for outfielder Joc Pederson. That was first reported by Jason Kinander. You’re probably asking who that is, but it’s irrelevant because it turns out that his sources were right.
Doesn’t get any better than getting a confirmation from the best MLB insider in the business.
First to mention this: @JasonKinander. https://t.co/wpwk2PY4oR
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 20, 2019
Pederson isn’t an all-star player, but he’d still be a massive upgrade to the White Sox outfield.
Here's where Pederson would have ranked in various things on the 2018 White Sox for players with 300+ PA's
SLG: 1st
OPS: 1st
wOBA: 1st
wRC+: 1st
K%: 1st (h/t @RobertHYoung)
fWAR: 1stI have decided to reject this premise.https://t.co/f0xrxwudX8
— Patrick Nolan (@SoxMach_pnoles) January 20, 2019
I know, being the best offensive player on the 2018 White Sox, who ranked 24th in runs scored, is like being the tallest midget. However, Pederson has averaged 25 home runs when he’s gotten more than 400 plate appearances in a season with the Dodgers and although his career .339 OBP isn’t elite, it’s still above average.
Again, he’d be great for the White Sox.
Yet, there hasn’t been much talk about a Pederson trade to the White Sox for about two weeks. There was a wild rumor before SoxFest 2019 that the trade would happen that weekend, but obviously that was completely made up.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers signed outfielder A. J. Pollock to a five-year contract and once again speculation started on what it meant for Pederson.
Despite the perception that the Dodgers are ready to unload Pederson, Rosenthal reported the team wasn’t close to trading him.
#Dodgers figured they would be elite vs. RHPs, mediocre vs. LHPs; hence, motivation for Pollock. Plan is for him to be primary CFer, with Bellinger moving between CF, corner OF, 1B. LAD will have depth to rest regulars. Per sources, team not close to trading Pederson at moment.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 24, 2019
That was a week ago, though, and this brings us back to Jason Kinander, who says the trade talks between the Dodgers and White Sox for Pederson aren’t dead.
In #WhiteSox news—sources confirmed to me this afternoon that a Joc Pederson trade is NOT dead. Lack of discussion between #Dodgers and White Sox can be attributed to the fact that the Dodgers have multiple trade conversations in the present, including about Realmuto and Kluber.
— Jason Kinander (@JasonKinander) February 1, 2019
So, if you’re a White Sox fan who wants to see Pederson on the South Side, then you’re rooting pretty hard against the Dodgers making a trade for J.T. Realmuto or Corey Kluber, as Pederson would presumably be involved in either trade.
But we have our very own source on the Joc trade talks.
REPORT: According to @SouthsideZo's gut, a Joc Pederson trade to the #WhiteSox is "still likely" you heard it here first!
Please credit Zo's gut.
New episode. Download and listen! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
iTunes: https://t.co/z9sLDan22y
Spotify: https://t.co/V2cBQcqrb4https://t.co/GG2ZSq34iI pic.twitter.com/zOz6EVq8FJ— Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast (@PinwheelsIvyPod) February 1, 2019
Please credit Matt Zawaski’s gut if the trade ever happens.
We discussed how the hold up on any big trades right now probably has to do with Bryce Harper and Manny Machado still be unsigned. It’s not just them because there are a whole bunch of other free agents still available, more than 50% still unsigned, who teams are waiting to get a bargain before looking to make trades.
Plus, the Dodgers themselves are involved in other trade talks, so that’s obviously holding up any progress with the White Sox.
But it’s February now, so these big free agents should be signing within the month, which means more dominos will fall soon after.
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