*Photo from On Tap Sports Net*
The Chicago Cubs needed to add an outfielder and some power into their lineup after they non tendered Kyle Schwarber in December, who then signed with the Nationals. The Cubs checked off both boxes with one signing. The Cubs have signed OF Joc Pederson to a one year, $7 million contract, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The contract also includes a mutual option for the 2022 season. The deal has been confirmed by the Cubs.
Pederson had a down year in the Pandemic shortened 2020 season, hitting just .190 with a .681 OPS, hitting 7 homers and driving in 16 runs in 43 games played during the 60 game regular season. In Pederson's 7 big league seasons, all spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has an average of .230 with an .806 OPS, hitting 130 homers and driving in 303 runs in 748 games played.
Despite Pederson's rough regular season numbers, he had a great postseason performance as the Dodgers won their first title since 1988, hitting .382 with an amazing .991 OPS in 16 playoff games, including a crucial homer off Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow in game 5 of the world series.
Pederson's strong suit in the outfield is left field, though he can also play center field at times, although not playing it regularly since 2018. If the Cubs didn't make any other moves with the outfield, the starting lineup would probably feature Pederson in left, Ian Happ in center, and Jason Heyward in right field, with Phillip Ervin serving as the 4th outfielder on the depth chart.
Pederson and Ervin have been the additions to the outfield this offseason, while Kohl Stewart and Trevor Williams have been cost controlled additions to the pitching depth.
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