D-backs Reportedly Have Talked with Free Agent Joc Pederson

The Diamondbacks continue to look to add a big bat to their lineup this offseason. Originally searching for a right-handed bat, general manager Mike Hazen dropped that preference after re-signing left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to a three-year deal. No longer pigeonholed to any preference, the net has been cast wider, with the team linked to J.D. Martinez, Jorge Soler and Justin Turner earlier in the offseason. One more player has been added to the mix, with ESPN's Buster Olney reporting that the D-backs have had talks with free agent Joc Pederson.

The Diamondbacks have been talking with free agent outfielder Joc Pederson. They've been looking for a DH type.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 25, 2024

The D-backs' pivot to Pederson likely signals that they are priced out on some of the top free agent bats. The median crowd source for Pederson on FanGraphs is a one-year, $12 million deal. That comes at a more affordable option than J.D. Martinez or Jorge Soler, who could potentially command a contract that averages $16-18 million a season. That could in turn either allow them to address another need on the roster or create additional payroll flexibility to strengthen their roster at the trade deadline.

Pederson, 31, is coming off a down year in which he hit .235 with 15 home runs and a 111 OPS+ in 121 games. Looking beyond the bottom line numbers, the underlying batted ball metrics suggest he was a victim of poor luck in 2023. Looking at his Baseball Savant page, Pederson ranks in the 80th percentile or better in xwOBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, hard-hit rate, and walk rate. He is strictly a platoon player, with only 109 plate appearances vs. left-handed pitching over the past two seasons. For the 105-110 games they'll face a right-handed starter, he improves the middle of their lineup.

The offseason is nearly over, with pitchers and catchers reporting to Salt River Fields in three weeks. The question will be which bat Hazen picks up to fill out his lineup.

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