Report: Blue Jays showing interest in former SF Giants All-Star slugger

The Toronto Blue Jays have shown "serious interest" in SF Giants free-agent slugger Joc Pederson, according to a report by Ben Nicholson-Smith.

The Toronto Blue Jays may be turning to a former SF Giants All-Star to be a left-handed power hitting threat for the second consecutive offseason. After Brandon Belt served as the Blue Jays primary designated hitter in 2023, a report by SportsNet's Ben Nicholson-Smith suggests the Blue Jays are emerging as a leading candidate to sign free agent Joc Pederson (#40-ranked free agent). This is not the first time Pederson has been tied to Canada's MLB team. Early in the offseason, it was reported that the Dodgers and Blue Jays were both interested in the free-agent slugger.

SF Giants DH Joc Pederson hits a RBI-double against the Rockies. (2023) / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

"According to industry sources, Joc Pederson is drawing serious interest from the Blue Jays, whose greatest need is offence at this point in the off-season," wrote Nicholson-Smith. "While interest has picked up in recent days, other win-now teams are believed to be competing with the Blue Jays in the outfield/DH market, including the Diamondbacks, the Angels and the Giants. The Cubs may be another suitor for Pederson, depending on where their pursuit of Bellinger leads."

While Pederson was among many prominent figures in the Giants organization who were scapegoated for the team's disappointing 2023 season, he was quietly one of the team's few productive hitters. Pederson finished the season with 15 home runs and a .235/.348/.416 line in 425 plate appearances. He also ranked in the 90th percentile or better among qualified hitters in xwOBA, average exit velocity, Hart Hit %, and walk rate.

Granted, those numbers were a significant step back from what Pederson had posted in 2022, his first season with the Giants. After signing a one-year, $6 million deal, Pederson hit .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs in 134 games, receiving his second career All-Star game selection.

Pederson, of course, began his career with the Dodgers back in 2014. Then a fleet-footed outfielder, Pederson was named an All-Star as a rookie and would go on to post a .830 OPS with 130 home runs in Los Angeles before becoming a free agent after helping the Dodgers win a World Series in 2020.

Pederson's role would narrow over time, as he consistently struggled to produce against left-handed pitching. He would land a one-year deal with the Cubs and was a solid contributor before he was traded to Atlanta at the 2021 trade deadline. Pederson would help reinvigorate Atlanta to an impressive second half run that ended with a World Series victory.

No longer the above-average defensive outfielder he was early in his career, Joc Pederson is best suited as the strong side of a platoon at designated hitter. The Blue Jays have a right-handed heavy lineup, led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, leaving an obvious place for Pederson to contribute.