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Should Red Sox Target Joc Pederson In Free Agency?
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- Should Red Sox Target Joc Pederson In Free Agency?
Free agent designated hitter Joc Pederson
Joc Pederson has declined his $18.5 million mutual option with the Texas Rangers, and plenty of teams in need of power could be interested in him.
Pederson is a full-time designated hitter at this point in his career, but the 34-year-old can still provide some pop to any offense. This season, he slashed .235/.329/.487 with 26 home runs. The Boston Red Sox ranked 26th in home runs last season and could certainly use a player like Pederson to add some pop to their lineup.
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Where would Pederson fit in the Red Sox lineup if they signed him? Well, he spent most of the season hitting leadoff, but on the Red Sox he could serve as a solid No. 5 hitter or cleanup hitter. It would be ideal to have him in a spot where he could have tons of chances to put a ball in the seats with runners on base.
As a designated hitter, the Red Sox would have to get rid of Masataka Yoshida and Jarren Duran to make sure Pederson could play every day. Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo recently noted that Yoshida was likely a "goner" and Duran is a strong candidate to be traded.
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The Red Sox don't need to trade Duran, but some team may be willing to give the Red Sox enough to convince them to move on, as opposed to having him as a fourth outfielder. Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu will be the everyday outfield group.
The Red Sox do need to consider adding some power to the lineup, and Pederson is a solid option. However, they should only do it if they can move on from Yoshida and Duran.
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