SF Giants: Potential Free Agent Matches from the World Series

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning in Game Three of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 23, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Outfielder Joc Pederson

What SF Giants need does he fill?

Left-handed bat

How he Performed in 2020?

Pederson has become one of the names most associated with the three true outcomes in baseball – home run, walk, or strikeout. He does a lot of all three.

For years, the left-handed bat has shown off impressive power as he has blasted 130 career home runs, including 12 against the Giants. However, the 2020 season was a down year across the board for Pederson.

In 138 plate appearances, the 28-year-old slashed a .190/.285/.397 line (84 OPS+) with seven home runs and 16 RBI. Furthermore, he posted a less-than-ideal eight percent walk rate against a 24.6 percent strikeout rate.

Over the years, Los Angeles has used Pederson as the left side of a platoon timeshare in the outfield, but he struggled to the tune of a .677 OPS in 128 plate appearances against righties in 2020.

Over the course of his eight-season career, though, he’s produced an .849 OPS against righties.

With the glove, the veteran outfielder has drawn mixed reviews according to the defensive metrics. Overall, he has been worth -2 DRS and 2.2 UZR, so depending on the metric you use, he is either slightly above-average or slightly below-average. However, he is competent in both corner outfield positions and could handle centerfield in an emergency.

What are the odds the SF Giants sign him?

The Giants certainly have geography in their favor. Pederson attended Palo Alto High School, which is just over 30 miles south of San Francisco. Pederson matches the profile of bats Zaidi has targeted in the past, like Alex Dickerson. However, wouldn’t he be a bit redundant?

Will the Giants look to add another outfielder? My guess is they will, but it will not be in the Pederson aisle unless he has to take a minor-league deal. Given the crowded setup though, it’s unlikely to feature a major-league deal for anyone who isn’t strong defensively in center field.

Pederson fits Zaidi’s mold, but isn’t ideal for the current roster. I put the odds at just ten percent.