Los Angeles Dodgers: Why a Joc Pederson trade makes the most sense

By Jason Reed | Oct 23, 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 21: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs the bases after hitting a two run home run off starting pitcher Jordan Yamamoto #50 of the Miami Marlins during the third inning at Dodger Stadium on July 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers /

2. Joc Pederson has better options to replace him

I am someone who is really high on Alex Verdugo and I think not having him in the lineup really hurt the Los Angeles Dodgers in this series. Verdugo is someone with great plate discipline and no real splits to his game.

Even if he is not getting hits, you know what you are going to get with Verdugo and that is good at-bats and oftentimes hard contract. That would have been great to have alongside Max Muncy, who shares similar traits and had the best series for LA.

Verdugo is much better in the field, has a better arm and is much more consistent at the plate. He does not come close to the power numbers that Pederson puts up but he still hit .294 with an .817 OPS, 12 home runs, 22 doubles and 44 RBIs.

That is a rookie that put together those kinds of numbers in 377 plate appearances. Not only is he more reliable at the plate but he is much better defensively than Pederson, who can feel like a defensive sore at times.

Most importantly is that there is no platoon with Verdugo and the Dodgers don’t have to only dictate his playing time on platoons. Verdugo hit .327 against southpaws opposed to .281 against right-handed pitching last season.

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