While the baseball world is on hold waiting for the announcement of the Boston/Los Angeles blockbuster swap bringing Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers, another trade has seen its own holding pattern.
Now it seems that there’s a snag in the other transaction Andrew Friedman is working on with the Angels. In case you missed it, a trade between the Dodgers and Angels is in the works that would include Ross Stripling and Joc Pederson heading to Orange County for prospects.
Now an added twist to the hold up could be Pederson’s pending arbitration hearing, at least in terms of the Dodgers/Angels deal. Ken Rosenthal added fuel to that fire.
Another factor in holdup of trade announcements, per sources: Joc Pederson’s arbitration hearing is today. Pederson is part of separate deal from #Dodgers to #Angels. He wanted $9.5M, LAD offered $7.75M. Decision likely would come within 24 hours of hearing’s conclusion (cont.).
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 6, 2020
Rosenthal expanded on that thought.
It’s unclear why Pederson’s hearing would cause a delay. Perhaps the Dodgers simply needed to get through it before trading him. Another possibility is that the Angels want to know his salary before finalizing terms with the Dodgers.
After the Dodgers agreed to an extension with Max Muncy earlier on Thursday, the stage is set for an awkward hearing between Pederson and LA representatives. Rumors of a third party unbiased lawyer to help smooth out the process between the two parties.
Once a contract number can be reached, then perhaps the deal with the Angels can continue, even before the Betts/Price trade moves forward. Earlier reports had the Pederson deal contingent on the completion of the Betts trade.
Joc Pederson would go from #Dodgers to #Angels if blockbuster is completed, source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 5, 2020
The results of the Pederson case is expected to be resolved by Friday.
