Pederson is of great interest to the Blue Jays as they scout the bat market.
Although the Blue Jays have shown interest in Cody Bellinger over the off-season, it is evident from their recent transactions with Kevin Kiermaier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa that they are not holding out for a decision from the 28-year-old. Bellinger’s chances of signing with the Blue Jays are currently slim because they are focusing on a former teammate.
The Blue Jays, who right now in the off-season are most in need of offense, are reportedly very interested in signing Joc Pederson. The Blue Jays are thought to be competing with other win-now teams, such as the Diamondbacks, Angels, and Giants, in the outfield/DH market, despite the fact that interest has increased recently. Pederson could have more suitors, including the Cubs, if they continue to pursue Bellinger.
Left-handed hitter Pederson played with the Giants during the 2023 season, batting.235/.348/.416 in 425 plate appearances with 15 home runs. The 31-year-old saw the majority of his playing time as the Giants’ designated hitter, though he did start 20 games in left field and three more in right. The Blue Jays currently have a vacancy as Brandon Belt is a free agent.
Although Pederson didn’t play much defense past season, he is still a very good hitter. His lifetime OPS versus right-handed pitchers is.834, so depending on the matchup, he can be easily leveraged. In addition, he has played in 79 postseason games, most recently with the 2021 Atlanta squad that won it all. He has 12 home runs and an OPS of.814 in the postseason.
The Blue Jays are aware more than others that a significant interest in a player does not necessarily translate into a transaction. The Blue Jays may want to go in a another route, or another team may step up and sign Pederson. The Blue Jays have scouted this area thoroughly and are unlikely to be shut out because there are numerous outfield/DH options available.
The Toronto front office has expressed interest in a number of DH prospects thus far this off-season, including Pederson, Justin Turner, J.D. Martinez, Rhys Hoskins, and others. A contract with Pederson wouldn’t necessarily rule out signing a second bat-first guy, like Turner, for example, as the Blue Jays would benefit from having many hitters.
The Blue Jays would gain from adding established players who push players like Clement and Horwitz off the big-league depth chart. As things stand, the Toronto bench would still have room for Ernie Clement and Spencer Horwitz, both of whom had their moments in 2023. They were somewhat interested in Gio Urshela and Amed Rosario prior to landing Kiner-Falefa, but it’s unclear if that interest still exists.
In any case, it still appears more likely than not that the Blue Jays will add a number of guys on smaller contracts rather than making a big trade for one player. Pederson is a name to keep an eye on for the foreseeable future.