1 former SF Giants All-Star who is off to a strong start with his new club

The SF Giants saw all of their pending free agents from last year's club find new homes in 2024. Many of those players are off to rough starts, but Joc Pederson of the Arizona Diamondbacks continues to do what he does best - hit.

1 former SF Giants All-Star who is off to a strong start with his new club

Alex Wood and Ross Stripling of the Oakland A's have struggled to the tune of a 5.32 ERA and 8.10 ERA, respectively. Brandon Crawford of the St. Louis Cardinals has tallied just one hit in 11 at-bats to start the year.

Even Sean Manaea of the New York Mets has recorded a 4.30 ERA after putting together a strong finish to last season and opting out. There is still plenty of time for all of them to turn it around, but it also makes sense why none of them returned.

Currently, Pederson might be the exception. His two-year stint in San Francisco did not end on a high note as it was believed that he became something of a distraction in the clubhouse. On the other hand, he still has a good relationship with the front office and there was some level of mutual interest in a reunion between both parties.

Of course, the Giants went in a different direction, inking power-hitting DH Jorge Soler to a three-year, $42 million pact. Pederson did not move far, signing with the Diamondbacks on a one-year, $12.5 million pact with a mutual option for a second year.

The lefty bat joined a Diamondbacks team that reached the World Series in 2023 and have plans of competing again this year. Pederson is playing a role in that.

The 31-year-old DH is slashing .323/.465/.484 (165 OPS+) with one home run, four RBI, and six runs in 44 plate appearances so far. Incredibly, he has worked nine walks against only one strikeout. Pederson has always had a knack for hitting.

With San Francisco, the 11-year veteran posted an. 874 OPS with 23 home runs in 2022 while earning an NL All-Star nod. This included an exciting, three-homer game against the Mets in May of that season. He was unable to replicate those numbers last year, but still maintained a solid .348 on-base percentage.

The Giants face off against the Diamondbacks starting on Thursday, so Pederson will be back in town. Giants fans are happy with Soler and Pederson is seemingly happy to be helping a team win again. It all worked out in the end.