Los Angeles Dodgers: Two White Sox players to target for Joc Pederson
By Jason Reed
For the second winter in a row, there is trade speculation around Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, Joc Pederson, this time again being connected to the Chicago White Sox.
Last winter there was a lot of speculation around whether or not the Los Angeles Dodgers would trade Joc Pederson. The team didn’t and the rest is history—Pederson went on to set a career-high in home runs (36) and RBIs (74) and was one-half of the greatest Home Run Derby Round of all-time.
It is safe to say that the Dodgers did not regret their decision in trading Pederson, although his bat was limiting at times. Pederson is practically unusable against left-handed pitching and when the Dodgers were short-manned because of injuries they had to get creative.
That is part of the reason why Pederson trade speculation has emerged once more this offseason. That, mixed with an already deep outfield and the fact that Pederson is on the last year of arbitration, all factor into the decision whether or not to trade him.
Plus, the Dodgers could free up some money in Pederson to go after someone such as Gerrit Cole or Anthony Rendon, although I am doubtful that they move Pederson solely for monetary purposes.
The same team that was heavily tied to Pederson last winter, the Chicago White Sox, is once again tied to him. It makes sense for Chicago, who do not have unlimited funds and could benefit greatly from a cost-controlled power-bat like Pederson.
The Dodgers are not going to do this trade without some value in return. However, there are only two viable players on the White Sox worth trading for, and both are fairly similar.