Los Angeles Dodgers: Potential trade partners for Joc Pederson
By Jason Reed
2. Tampa Bay Rays
Los Angeles Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman is familiar with the Tampa Bay Rays. After all, the Rays were the team that took a shot on Friedman and allowed him to start his career as an executive in Major League baseball. Because of that familiarity, the Braves and Dodgers will always be potential trade partners.
The two sides made a relatively big deal prior to the 2017 season with the Dodgers traded pitching prospect Jose De Leon for second baseman Logan Forsythe. At the time, the move seemed like a genius one.
And while Forsythe never really had a great career as a Dodger, the Dodgers have not been missing De Leon either. De Leon has thrown two and two-thirds big league innings since that trade.
The team also made a relatively minor trade for Sergio Romo in 2017. Romo has actually panned out better than expected for the Rays.
It is obvious that the two sides are comfortable making moves and the next move could be for Pederson. The Rays could use a power-hitting left-handed bat in the lineup, especially in the outfield.
In fact, the Rays have every reason to pursue someone like Pederson. The team is not going to get a big name star ever in free agency and needs to add in minor deals like this. Tampa Bay certainly is a playoff contender, winning 90 games last season.