The D-backs moved on from Joc Pederson this past offseason, bidding farewell to a slugger who made 132 appearances at designated hitter for them in 2024 and turned in an outstanding .275/.393/.515 slash in 449 plate appearances. Pederson was limited to 42 plate appearances against left-handed pitching but was a mainstay in the lineup against right-handed opponents. He torched righties at a .281/.392/.531 clip -- 54% better than league average, by measure of wRC+.
Arizona spent more than anyone expected this past offseason, but the vast majority of that spending came in the form of their stunning six-year, $210MM signing of right-hander Corbin Burnes. That marked the largest contract in franchise history, helping push payroll to record levels. The rest of the front office's moves were understandably on the smaller side, at least in terms of financial commitment. A trade for Josh Naylor replaced Christian Walker at first base for about half the 2025 price (and one-sixth of the overall financial commitment). Re-signing Randal Grichuk cost another $5MM. Relievers Kendall Graveman and Jalen Beeks signed for under $2MM apiece.
Pederson's two-year, $37MM deal with the Rangers was announced on the same day as Burnes' deal with the Diamondbacks. Based on the totality of Arizona's offseason, it'd be fair to presume that signing both simply wasn't in the budget. Perhaps, however, the D-backs felt comfortable moving on from Pederson because they bought into the out-of-the-blue breakout from another lefty slugger on the roster.
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Pavin Smith’s .543 BABIP and 28.4% K-rate scream regression lurking.
You don’t think he can sustain a .543 BABIP???
Imagine how good ARI would be if Zac Galen and Corbin Burns weren’t struggling.
That applies to every team in mlb history.
Or how ordinary they’d be if Tim Tawa, Corbin Carroll, and Pavin Smith weren’t all hitting like Aaron Judge.
People aren’t talking enough about Tim Tawa he’s done a good job replacing ketel marte
He might be hitting well enough to stay on the major league roster
Is Joc Pederson the least valuable player in MLB?
Tough to rack up -1.1 bWAR before leaving April, though the O’s may be willing to give Charlie Morton and his 10.89 ERA a shot at it.
Again, don’t know why I am paying for something that Fangraphs would write about more comprehensively and not charge me for. I’d prefer MLBTR sticks with transaction analyses and not these vapid, player-friendly banalities.