The Arizona Diamondbacks and outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson are in agreement on a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2025, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert.
The 31-year-old Pederson has been a member of the San Francisco Giants for the past two seasons. In 2023, he slashed .235/.348/.416 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI over 121 games.
A two-time All-Star, Pederson has always smashed right-handed pitching, posting a career .834 OPS in those matchups.
Sources told Sportsnet that the Blue Jays were showing serious interest in signing Pederson at one point this off-season.
Despite taking a step back from his All-Star campaign in 2022, Pederson still remained among baseball’s hardest hitters in 2023. He ranked in the 96th percentile in hard hit rate and the 91st percentile in average exit velocity.
On defence, Pederson spent the majority of his time as the Giants’ DH in 2023, but still spent some time in both corner outfield spots and at first base.
Pederson dealt with wrist inflammation in mid-April last season, causing him to spend 10 days on the injured list.
He also owns a lengthy post-season resume, winning the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and the Atlanta Braves in 2021. In seven playoff appearances, Pederson has racked up 195 at-bats, hitting .256/.332/.482 with 12 home runs.
Pederson was originally an 11th-round pick of the Dodgers in 2010, and made his debut with the club in 2014. In his 10-year MLB career, he has spent time with the Dodgers, Braves, Giants and Chicago Cubs.