2-time World Series champion slugger opts for free agency
May 24, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Joc Pederson (23) watches his two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
A veteran slugger looks poised to join his sixth team in the last five years.
Jesse Rogers of ESPN reported Saturday that Joc Pederson has declined his end of a mutual option with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pederson will thus become a free agent this offseason after spending just one season in Arizona.
The lefty-hitting Pederson, 32, is a two-time career All-Star who also has two World Series trophies on his resume (with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and with the Atlanta Braves in 2021). He remained very productive in 2024 as well, batting .275 with a .908 OPS plus 23 home runs and 64 RBIs in 132 games for the Dbacks. As such, Pederson is set to be one of the top lefty power bats on the free agent market this winter.
Pederson had a $14 million mutual option with Arizona for 2025 but will instead take a $3 million buyout in order to hit free agency. Perhaps even one of his former teams could rekindle their past interest in a reunion.
